THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  ILLINOIS 

LIBRARY 

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ILLINOIS  HISTORICAL  SDRVW 


i 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  BATTLE, 

WITH  SKETCHES  OF  THE  AMERIGAN 

SOLDIERS  WHO  TOOK  PART 


KATHRINE  KEOGH  WHITE 

Author  of 

'ABRAM  RYAN.  Poet-Priest  of  the  South;'*    "THE  LAND 
PIRATES  OF    THE    SOUTH;"    "THE  GANDER- 
TOURNAMENT  OF  THE  SOUTHERN 
MOUNTAINS;"    Etc. 


DAYTON,  VIRGINIA 

JOSEPH  K.  RUEBUSH  COMPANY 

vm 


COPYRIGHT  BY 

JOSEPH  K.  RUEBUSH  CO. 

1924 


DEDICATED  TO  MY  BROTHER, 

WILLIAM  THOMAS  WARREN  WHITE 

Student,  Educator  and  Scholar 


r 


54307; 


i 


The  Edition  of  this  Book  Has  Been 
Limited  to  Five  Hundred  Copies 


SECTION 
ONE 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://www.archive.org/details/kingsmountainmenOOwhit 


CONTENTS 


SECTION  ONE 

PREFACE 

Page 

I.     The  Battle  of  King's  Mountain 3 

II.     Watauga  and  Its  Records 6 

III.  General  John  Sevier 64 

IV.  Letter  by  Draper  to  Martin  68 

V.     Letters  by  Christian  to  Draper 79 

VI.     Franklin  and  the  Whites  97 

VII.     Militia  Rosters  103 

VIII.     Incident  in  the  Life  of  Alexander  Moore 105 

IX.     Greer  and  McElwee  Data 107 

X.     Diary  of  Captain  Alexander  Chesney 108 

XI.     Sundry  Pension  Declarations 113 


SECTION  TWO 

Personal  Sketches  of  King's  Mountain  Soldiers 

APPENDIX 
Tennessee  Revolutionary  Pensioners  List 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

INDEX 


PREFACE 

The  list  in  this  book,  of  the  heroes  who  won  the  battle 
of  King's  Mountain,  does  not  assume  to  be  complete.  So 
far  as  I  am  aware,  no  rosters  are  in  existence.  Historians 
are  not  agreed  as  to  the  number  of  the  Americans  who 
were  in  the  expedition.  The  general  opinion  is  that  it  was 
between  one  thousand  and  twelve  hundred.  I  had  this 
number  in  mind  when  I  began  a  search  for  the  names  of 
the  individual  soldiers,  and  an  authentic  record  in  each 
instance  of  the  soldier's  service,  in  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. While  investigating  county  records,  land  grants, 
pension  statements,  and  other  sources  of  information,  I 
came  upon  many  stories  of  their  lives,  especially  in  the 
records  of  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  in  1777-1780. 
These  stories,  so  full  of  human  interest,  often  begin  before 
the  date  of  the  battle.  The  narratives  introduce  us  to  a 
life  of  tragedy  as  well  as  romance,  on  the  inland  frontier 
of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  wild  savages  and  ferocious 
beasts  menacing  them  at  all  times.  Nowhere  else  in  the 
American  States  were  the  souls  of  men  more  nearly 
strained  to  the  breaking-point.  Without  official  permis- 
sion and  without  assurance  of  reward,  these  heroes  of 
the  frontier  came  together  as  brothers  and  neighbors, 
and  formed  a  volunteer  army  to  protect  their  families 
and  their  country. 

In  this  book  I  aim  to  bring  out  the  human  interest 
which  is  so  overlooked  in  the  admirable  histories  of  the 
American  Revolution.  Thus  I  present,  without  change, 
the  letters  written  to  Lyman  Draper  by  James  Sevier,  Gil- 
bert Christian,  John  Sevier,  and  William  Martin.  Not 
only  do  these  letters  afford  proof  of  military  service  by 
some  of  the  frontiersmen,  but  they  throw  direct  light  on 
the  expedition  itself  and  on  other  combats  with  their 
enemy. 

Emphasis  is  placed  on  the  state  of  Franklin,  or 
Frankland.  The  attempt  to  establish  this  commonwealth 
was  an  outburst  of  indignation  on  the  part  of  the  volun- 
teers. Fresh  from  their  victory  at  King's  Mountain,  they 
found  themselves  without  a  government  and  without  a 
country  that  recognized  them.  Once  more  they  were 
forced  to  band  together,  this  time  to  make  a  government 
for  themselves,  while  defending  their  loved  ones  from 
Indians,  tories,  and  escaped  criminals.     It  is  this  unflag- 


2  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

ging  loyalty  which  makes  these  heroes  as  brave  and 
courageous  as  the  "Immortal  six  hundred  that  walked 
in  the  valley  of  death. " 

I  am  under  special  obligations  to  the  histories  of 
Southwest  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  Georgia,  and  Tennes- 
see. As  these  works  have  been  of  service  to  me,  so  do  I 
hope  that  the  present  volume  may  be  helpful  to  others 
who  engage  in  research.  I  also  extend  my  most  appre- 
ciative thanks  to  Miss  Mary  Rothrock,  librarian  of  the 
Lawson  McGhee  Free  Library,  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  for 
her  aid,  and  particularly  for  giving  me  free  access  to  the 
valuable  Calvin  McClung  Historical  Collection  of  the  said 
library. 

Katherine  Keogh  White 


'      THE  BATTLE  OF  KING'S  MOUNTAIN 

The  volunteer  army  that  fought  at  King's  Moun- 
tain October  7,  If  %0,  puts  us  in  mind  of  the  three  hundred 
Spartans  under  Leonidas  who  defended  the  pass  of  Ther- 
mopylae 2261  years  earlier,  or  of  the  six  hundred  who 
rode  into  "the  valley  of  death"  at  Balaklava  in  the  Cri- 
mean war.  American  history  affords  no  other  instance 
of  a  thousand  frontiersmen  coming  together  of  their  own 
free  will  to  make  themselves  into  a  volunteer  army.  The 
only  equipment  of  the  soldier  in  that  expedition  was  his 
trusty  Dechard  rifle  with  its  accessories,  his  sure-footed 
mountain  horse,  and  his  pocketful  of  parched  corn.  These 
men  knew  little  of  professional  warfare,  but  they  did 
know  how  to  keep  tories  and  Indians  from  their  settle- 
ment. 

When  Patrick  Ferguson,  England's  sharpshooter  col- 
onel, sent  them  word  that  unless  they  came  on  to  join 
him  and  the  king  he  would  march  over  the  mountains  and 
hang  everyone  of  them,  they  at  once  declared  that  they 
would  have  a  voice  in  the  matter.  They  determined  to 
take  care  of  him,  and  they  performed  their  task  effect- 
ually. 

Another  aspect  of  this  notable  expedition  is  worthy 
of  remark.  The  returned  soldiers  had  no  time  to  wait  for 
words  of  praise  and  promises  of  reward.  They  had  to 
hurry  back  by  the  nearest  path  to  their  wives,  children, 
and  the  old  men  and  boys  who  were  left  to  protect  the 
settlements  from  the  Indians.  They  were  just  in  time  to 
beat  off  a  thousand  Indians  who  were  on  the  march,  hav- 
ing learned  that  the  fighting  men  had  gone  to  King's 
Mountain. 

At  King's  Mountain  these  soldiers  had  trapped  and 
annihilated  a  British  army  more  numerous  than  them- 
selves. Yet  they  came  near  being  reprimanded  by  the 
Continental  Congress  for  taking  the  warpath  without  ex- 
press permission.  If  they  had  failed  there  might  have 
been  trouble,  but  all  is  well  that  ends  well.  So  in  time 
the  state  governments  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina 
and  the  central  government  as  well  gave  official  recogni- 


4  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

tion  to  the  leaders  and  men  who  gained  one  of  the  most 
momentous  victories  of  the  Revolution. 

King's  Mountain  battle  took  place  at  a  time  when  the 
American  cause  was  looking  desperate.  Failure  after 
failure  had  come  to  the  American  arms  in  the  South.  The 
engagement  at  Musgrove's  Mill,  about  two  months  earl- 
ier, was  indeed  rather  a  victory  for  the  whigs,  some  of 
the  King's  Mountain  men  taking  part  in  it.  While  trying 
to  harass  the  British  the  Americans  fell  into  a  trap,  yet 
they  fought  off  their  enemy  and  escaped  with  all  the 
prisoners  they  had  taken.  Ferguson  chased  them  to  the 
Blue  Ridge  and  then  sent  the  insolent  letter  which  caused 
his  ruin. 

The  following  is  the  letter  to  General  Gates,  com- 
mander in  the  South  in  the  latter  half  of  1780,  and  found 
in  the  North  Carolina  Records.  It  was  written  by  Colo- 
nels Shelby,  Sevier,  Cleveland,  Campbell,  Winston,  and 
Hampton,  who  asked  for  a  trained  officer  to  lead  them. 

Rutherford  county,  Camp  near  Gilbert  Town, 

October  4,  1780 
Sir: 

We  have  collected  at  this  place  about  1500  good 
men,  drawn  from  Washington,  Surry,  Wilkes,  Burk  of 
North  Carolina,  and  Washington  County,  Virginia,  and 
expect  to  be  joined  in  a  few  days  by  Colonel  Williams  of 
South  Carolina  with  about  a  thousand  more.  As  we  have 
at  this  place  called  out  Militia  without  any  order  from 
the  executive  of  our  different  States,  and  with  the  view 
of  expelling  out  of  this  part  of  the  country  the  enemy, 
we  think  such  a  body  of  men  worthy  of  your  attention 
and  would  request  you  to  send  a  General  Officer  imme- 
diately to  take  the  command  of  such  troops  as  may  em- 
body in  this  quarter.  Our  troops  being  Militia,  and  but 
little  acquainted  with  discipline,  we  would  wish  him  to 
be  a  gentleman  of  address,  and  be  able  to  keep  a  proper 
discipline,  without  disgusting  the  soldiery.  Every  assis- 
tance in  our  power  shall  be  given  the  Officer  you  may 
think  proper  to  take  command  of  us.  It  is  the  wish  of 
such  of  us  as  are  acquainted  with  General  Davidson,  and 
Colonel  Morgan  (if  in  service)  that  one  of  these  Gentle- 
men may  be  appointed  to  this  command. 

We  are  in  great  need  of  ammunition,  and  hope  you 
will  endeavor  to  have  us  properly  furnished. 

Colonel  McDowell  will  wait  on  you  with  this,  who 
can  inform  you  of  the  present  situation  of  the  enemy, 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  5 

and  such  other  particulars  respecting  our  troops  as  you 
may  think  necessary. 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  able  servants, 

Benj.  Cleveland 
Isaac  Shelby 
John  Sevier 
Andw.  Hampton 
Wm.  Campbell 
Jo.  Winston 

At  the  close  of  the  very  day  the  above  letter  was 
written,  Campbell  was  nominated  by  Shelby  as  tempo- 
rary commander,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  the  only 
Virginian  of  regimental  rank.  During  the  next  two  days 
the  leaders  picked  out  the  best  men  with  the  best  horses 
and  rifles,  and  then  took  Ferguson's  trail  910  strong. 
The  men  on  foot  and  those  with  poor  horses  were  told 
to  follow. 

In  their  rapid  advance  the  mountain  men  could  not 
spare  the  time  to  deal  with  a  large  body  of  tories  form- 
ing to  join  Ferguson.  Passing  this  force  they  were  join- 
ed at  Cowpens  by  60  men  from  Lincoln  county  under 
Colonel  Hambright.  They  were  also  joined  by  an  equal 
number  of  South  Carolina  men  under  Major  Chronicle 
and  by  a  band  under  Colonel  Williams  of  the  same  state. 
During  thirty-six  hours  the  riflemen  never  alighted  but 
once  and  then  at  Cowpens.  They  had  little  to  eat  but 
parched  corn.  A  persistent  rain  made  them  wrap  their 
guns  and  ammunition  in  sacks,  blankets,  and  even  their 
hunting  shirts.  It  was  necessary  to  keep  their  powder 
dry,  even  though  their  bodies  were  drenched  by  the  cold 
downpour.  When  they  at  length  caught  up  with  Fergu- 
son, they  went  into  the  fight  with  neither  rest  nor  re- 
freshment. 

The  battle  lasted  only  an  hour.  The  haughty  Fergu- 
son was  slain  and  his  army  wiped  out  of  existence,  though 
stationed  on  the  flat  summit  of  a  low  ridge. 


II. 


WATAUGA  AND  ITS  RECORDS 

The  "Back  Country"  as  the  land  beyond  the  Blue 
Ridge  was  styled,  in  the  colonial  days,  was  not  colonized 
after  the  manner  of  the  seaboard  plantations. 

The  early  settler  on  the  Holston  trailed  his  way 
hither  through  forest  and  along  the  watercourses,  using 
sometimes  the  Indian  lane  and  sometimes  the  path  of 
the  elk  and  the  deer.  When  he  found  a  spot  to  his  liking 
he  set  up  a  bark  shelter,  or  looked  up  a  cavern  or  some 
other  place  of  safety  until  he  could  build  a  log  cabin. 

In  this  way  came  John  Hunnicut,  the  first  white  set- 
tler, and  William  Been,  the  second  arrival,  the  former 
placing  his  cabin  high  on  the  flank  of  a  mountain,  the 
latter  building  at  the  mouth  of  Boone  Creek,  and  in  his 
new  habitation  was  born  his  son,  Russell,  the  first  white 
native  of  Tennessee. 

Next  came  the  defiant  Regulators  to  escape  the  ven- 
geance of  the  royal  governor  of  North  Carolina.  With 
them  were  many  indented  servants  from  the  low  country. 
They  came  singly,  or  in  small  groups.  Virginia,  South 
Carolina,  and  even  Pennsylvania,  were  represented  in 
this  influx.  Not  all  these  people  were  saints,  neither 
were  all  of  them  sinners. 

The  settlers  of  Carter  Valley  in  Hawkins  were  cer- 
tain they  were  in  Virginia,  yet  knew  they  were  on  the 
lands  of  the  Cherokees.  The  same  opinion  was  held  in 
the  settlements  on  the  Watauga  and  the  Nollichucky. 
All  these  people  lived  under  a  government  they  called 
the  Watauga  Association.  It  was  founded  by  Jacob 
Brown,  who  came  from  South  Carolina  and  afterward 
fought  at  King's  Mountain. 

In  1772  the  over-mountain  people  were  designated 
as  squatters,  and  were  ordered  to  vacate.  But  it  has  never 
been  at  all  easy  to  eject  the  American  pioneer  from  land 
he  has  cleared  by  hard  labor.  This  was  true  of  the  Wa- 
tauga settlers.  Their  leaders  made  gifts  to  the  Indians  who 
agreed  to  let  them  stay  if  there  were  no  further  encroach- 
ment. The  pleased  settlers  called  a  constitutional  con- 
vention. It  is  significant  that  they  adopted  the  laws  of 
Virginia,   although   a  majority  of  them  were  from  the 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  7 

Carolinas.  Their  court  of  five  magistrates,  with  a  sheriff 
and  a  clerk,  continued  until  1775,  the  year  in  which  the 
American  Revolution  began.  The  Watauga  Association 
then  transformed  itself  into  the  Washington  District  of 
North  Carolina.  John  Carter  was  made  chairman  of  its 
Committee  of  Safety.  When  news  came  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  Washington  District  sent  a  petition 
asking  annexation  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at 
Halifax,  North  Carolina.  North  Carolina  failed  to  re- 
turn an  answer,  yet  John  Carter,  John  Sevier,  Charles 
Robertson,  and  John  Hall  appeared  as  delegates  at  Hali- 
fax and  were  accorded  seats. 

All  the  men  signing  the  petition  were  frontier  sol- 
diers, and  nearly  all  fought  at  King's  Mountain.  The 
names  found  in  the  North  Carolina  Records  are  William 
Been,  Jacob  Brown,  John  Carter  (chairman),  Zachary 
Isbell,  John  Jones,  Robert  Lucas,  James  Robertson, 
George  Russell,  James  Smith,  James  Stephenson,  Wil- 
liam Tatham  (clerk),  and  Jacob  Womack. 

The  names  following  constitute  the  complete  list. 
The  original,  in  the  state  archives  at  Raleigh,  bears  this 
indorsement:  "Received  August  22,  1776." 

Barley,  John  Cox,  William 

Barton,  Joshua,  Sr.  Crockett,  David 

Bates,  Henry,  Sr.  Crockett,  William 

Bates,  Henry,  Jr.  Cunningham,  Christo- 
Bates,  William  pher,  Sr. 

Blair,  Hugh  Cunningham,  Christo- 
Bostin,  Joud,  Sr.  pher,  Jr. 

Bowyer,  Lew  (attorney)         Davis,  John 
Brokes,  or  Brooks,  William  Dedmon,  Thomas 

Brown,  John  Dodd,  William 

Brown,  Joseph  Dunham,  John 

Brown,  Joseph  (2)  Dunham,  Joseph 

Buller,  Joseph  Durroon,  Rice 

Bumper,  Job  Easley,  James 

Calvit,  Frederick  Fletcher,  Richard 

Calvit,  Joseph  Goodan,  Drury 

Carter,  Landon  Greer,  Alexander 

Chuckinbeard,  John  Greer,  Andrew 

Clark,  William  Greer,  Joseph 

Cooper,  James  Grimes,  Joseph 

Cox,  Abraham  Hail,  John 

Cox,  Edward  Hawkins,  Matt 

Cox,  John,  Sr.  Hickey,  David 

Cox,  John,  Jr.  Hider,  Michael 


8 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


Hightower,  Oldham 
Hix,  Abednego 
Hodge,  Ambrose 
Hopson,  Edward 
Houghton,  Joshua 
Houghton,  Thomas 
Hughes,  David 
Hughes,  Thomas 
Hutann,  George 
Jones,  Lewis 
King,  John 
Luske,  Joseph 
McCartney,  Charles 
McCormick,  John 
Mitchell,  Joab 
Mitchell,  Mark 
Moore,  John 
Morris,  Daniel 
Morris,  Gideon 
Morris,  Groves 
Morris,  Shardick 
Mosely,  Robert 
Nave,  John 
Nave,  Teeler 


Norton,  Richard 
Overall,  William 
Pebeer,  Elias 
Reeves,  William 
Roberson,  John 
Roberson,  William 
Robertson,  Elijah 
Robertson,  Mark 
Rose,  Ossa 
Sevier,  John 
Sevier,  Robert 
Sevier,  Valentine 
Sherill,  Adam 
Sherill,  Samuel,  Sr. 
Sherill,  Samuel,  Jr. 
Shote,  Emanuel 
Siler,  Henry 
Simpson,  Thomas 
Tipton,  Jonathan 
Vaughn,  Frederick 
Waddell,  John 
Williams,  Jarrett 
Wilson,  Isaac 
Womack,  Jacob 


In  1777  the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina 
took  over  Washington  District,  forming  it  into  Wash- 
ington county,  the  boundaries  being  coextensive  with 
those  of  the  present  state  of  Tennessee.  The  new  county 
was  included  with  the  Salisbury  Judicial  District.  Courts 
were  organized,  a  land  office  was  opened,  civil  and  mili- 
tary officers  were  appointed,  and  this  new  political  di- 
vision was  ready  for  business.  In  the  court  records  of 
1777-80  we  see  again  many  of  the  names  in  the  preced- 
ing list. 

I  now  give  the  records  for  the  years  indicated,  for 
the  purpose  of  exhibiting  the  human  interest  in  them, 
and  the  rigid  justice  dealt  out  to  high  and  low  alike.  The 
original  manuscript  is  in  the  archives  of  the  Tennessee 
Historical  Society.  It  was  donated  by  John  Allison,  au- 
thor of  "Dropped  Stitches  in  Tennessee  History." 

At  a  Court  begun  and  held  for  the  County  of  Wash- 
ington on  the  23rd  February,  1778. 

Present,  John  Carter,  Chairman 

John  Sevier  John  McMahan 

Jacob  Womack  Benjamin  Gist 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  9 

Robert  Lucas  John  Chisholm 

And.  Greer  Joseph  Wilson 

John  Shelby  William  Cobb 

George  Russel  James  Stuart 

William  Been  Michael  Woods 

Zachariah  Isbell  Richard  White 

John  McNabb  Benjamin  Wilson 

Thomas  Houghton  James  Robertson 

William  Clark  Valentine  Sevier 

Took  the  oath  as  prescribed  by  Law  and  proceed  to 
Business  accordingly. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  ten  o'clock. 
Tuesday  met  according  to  adjournment. 
John  Sevier  chosen  clerk  for  the  county. 
Valentine  Sevier,  Sheriff. 
James  Stuart,  surveyor. 
John  Carter,  Entry-taker. 
John  McMahon,  Register. 
Jacob  Womack  Stray  master. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  nine  o'clock. 
Wednesday  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ord.  that  Amos  Bird  and  John  Smith  be  Jurors  to 
attend  the  next  Supreme   Court  at  Salisbury. 

Elijah  Robertson,  vs.  Robert  Sevier  for  an  assualty 
— ordered  that  Robert  Sevier  be  bound  to  his  good  be- 
havior and  enter  Recognizance  with  two  securities  in  the 
sum  of  ten  pounds  himself  (and  five  pounds  each  of  his 
security)  for  his  good  behavior  for  the  Time  and  Term 
of  Twelve  Months. 

William  Parker  and  William  McNabb  entered  them- 
selves Robert  Sevier's  security  for  his  good  behavior. 

Ordered  that  James  Maulden,  Josiah  Hoskins,  and 
John  Higgins  be  appointed  to  assess  all  the  taxable  prop- 
erty lying  above  the  Iron  Mountain  in  this  county. 

Ordered  that  Benjamin  Cobb,  Soloman  Smith,  and 
William  Archer  be  appointed  to  assess  all  the  taxable 
property  of  the  people. 

Thursday — Ordered  that  John  McNabb  be  appoint- 


10  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

ed  Coroner  of  the  County.    Court  adjourned  till  court  in 
course. 

John  Carter 
John  McNabb 
Mich.  Woods. 
George  Russell 
Benj.  Wilson 
Robert  Lucas 

At  court  begun  and  held  on  the  25th  day  of  May 
1778  at  the  house  of  Charles  Robertson. 

Present 
Richard  White  Michael  Woods 

Jacob  Womack  Joseph  Wilson 

Thomas  Houghton  John  McNabb 

John  Chisholm  William  Clark 

Benjamin  Gist,  Esq.  George  Wilson 

State  vs.  Zekle 

Ordered  that  the  defendant  be  committed  to  Gaol 
Immediately  and  to  be  Kept  in  custody  until  he  can  be 
conviently  delivered  to  a  Continental  Officer. 

Monday — May  Court. 

Wm.  Aiken  Jacob  Brown 

Jas.  Hollis  David  Hughs  (ab) 

Amos  Bird  Joseph  Fowler  (ab) 

John  Nave  Robert  Shurley  (ab) 

Arthur  Cobb  Jas.  Grimes 

John  Dunham  Robt.  Blackburn 

Peter  McLamee  John  Clark 

John  Patterson  (ab)  Hosea  Stout 

Nathaniel  Clark  Andrew  Bunton  (ab) 

Jas.  Wilson  John  Hoskins 

Drury  Godlin  Ning  Hoskins 
Chas.  Gentry  (ab) 

Grand  Jurymen 

Tuesday  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered  that  David  Hickey  be  fined  five  pounds  for 
insulting  the  Court. 

Charles  Robertson,  Jr.,  entered  security  for  paying 
the  same  at  laying  next  par.  Leasy. 

Tuesday,  26th  May. 

Emmanuel  Carter  presented  to  the  court  four 
pounds,  five  shillings  and  four  pence  being  the  residue 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  11 

left  of  the  price  after  deducting  constable  fees,  and  pay- 
ing John  Chisholm  2  lbs.,  14  of  a  certain  horse  and  sad- 
dle by  Order  of  Colonel  Carter  belonging  to  Robert 

who  made  his  escape  from  Emmanuel  Carter  after  being 
committed  to  Gaol  on  suspicion  of  horse  stealing  and 
said  money  ordered  to  be  left  in  the  hands  of  the  clerk. 

May  court— Tuesday  26,  1778. 

State  vs.  Jacob  Brown. 

Ordered  that  Jacob  Brown  give  security  for  one 
hundred  pounds  for  himself  and  two  securities  in  the  sum 
of  fifty  pounds  each. 

William  Clark,  Esq.  and  John  Nave  entered  them- 
selves security  for  the  defendant's  good  behavior  for 
twelve  months  towards  the  State  and  especially  Amos 
Bird. 

Anne  Buller  maid  oath  that  attended  at  court  in  be- 
half of  Amos  Bird  pltff.  vs.  Jacob  Brown  defdt.  three 
days  and  supposed  to  be  25  miles  and  allowed  one  day 
for  returning  home. 

John  Shurley  attended  two  days  at  court  in  behalf 
of  Amos  Bird  plftt.  and  Jacob  Brown  defdt.  supposed 
to  be  14  miles. 

On  motion  it  is  ordered  that  Joseph  Bullar  give  se- 
curity for  his  personal  appearance  at  the  next  court,  him- 
self one  hundred  pounds  and  two  securities  in  the  sum 
of  fifty  pounds  each.  Edward  Hopson  and  William 
Trimble  acknowledged  themselves  as  security. 

Tuesday  26,  May. 

Ordered  that  Zeckle  be  discharged  by  the  sheriff  he 

the  said  having  enlisted  in  the  Continental 

army. 

James  Grimes'  earmark  a  crop  in  the  left  ear  and 
under  keel  in  the  same,  also  a  slit  in  the  ear,  and  the 
same  is  ordered  to  be  recorded. 

Ordered  that  the  Clerk  cause  the  Sheriff  to  summons 
a  jury  or  jurys  to  try  the  defendants,  Cavits  entered  with 
Entry-taker  and  returned  to  the  Court,  and  that  they 
make  a  report  to  next  court  according  to  act  of  Assem- 
bly. 

State  vs.  James  Bradly. 

Ordered  that  defdt.  enter  security  for  his  appear- 
ance at  next  court  in  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds  for  himself 


12  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

and  two  securities  in  the  sum  of  twenty-five  pounds  each. 
Thomas  Price  and  Joseph  Bullar  acknowledged  them- 
selves his  security. 

Ordered  that  John  Tye  be  summoned  to  appear 
next  court  vs.  Shadrack  Moory. 

Ordered  that  Jas.  English  be  summoned  as  witness 
for  Shadrack  Moory  next  court. 
William  Bayley  Smith  vs.  James  Smith. 

Judgmt.  accdg.  to  acct.  proved.  Land  ordered  to 
be  sold  and  the  accounts  on  James  Books'  condemed  to 
use  of  pltff. 

John  Sevier  vs.  Richard  Davis. 
Attchmt.  dis.  pltffs  cost. 

State  vs.  Elijah . 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  the  dfdt.  be  com- 
mitted to  the  District  gaol  for  further  trial  and  that  dfdt. 
be  immediately  confined  or  give  sufficient  security  for  his 
appearance  at  the  next  term  of  the  Supreme  Court  to  be 
held  in  the  District  of  Salisbury  for  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  pounds  for  himself  and  five  pounds  each  for 
security. 

Thomas  Price,  William  McNabb,  Esqrs.  came  into 
court  and  acknowledged  themselves  the  dfdts  security 
for  his  appearance  at  the  superior  court  to  be  held  at 
Salisbury  the  5th  of  September  next  to  be  levied  of  their 
goods  and  chattels. 

Charles  Robertson  came  in  court  and  acknowledged 
the  conveyance  of  640  acres  of  land  unto  Matthew  Tal- 
bot and  the  same  is  ordered  recorded.  (Matthew  Tal- 
bot was  a  King's  Mountain  man,  and  his  cabin  and  mill 
were  built  on  Gap  creek). 

Charles  Robertson,  Esqur.  came  into  court  and  ac- 
knowledged the  conveyance  of  115  acres  of  land  unto 
Matthew  Arthur  and  the  same  is  ordered  to  be  recorded. 

The  last  will  and  testament  of  John  Cox,  deed.,  was 
duly  proved  by  the  oaths  of  Colonel  Carter  and  Emanuel 
Carter,  and  the  same  to  be  recorded. 

May  27,  1778. 

Ordered  that  a  Commission  be  directed  to  Isaac 
Shelby  and  James  Montgomery  Esqurs.  to  take  the  depo- 
sition of  Robert  Caldwell  and  Edmund  Waring  in  behalf 
of  Elijah . 

On  motion  it  appears  that and  and 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  IS 

did  feloniously  steal  a  certain  bay  gelding  from 

Samuel  Sherill  Sen.  Ordered  if  Samuel  Sherill  can  find 
property  of  said  thieves,  he  take  the  same  into  possession, 
leaving  bond  if  the  thieves  come  back  so  the  court  can 
take  it  over.  (  This  Samuel  Sherrill,  Sr.,  was  the  father  of 
"Bonny  Kate,"  John  Sevier's  second  wife.) 

Court  adjourns  until  Court  in  course. 

Charles  Robertson 
Robert  Lucas 
John  McNabb 
William  McNabb 
Benjamin  Wilson 
August  Term  1778. 

Present 

Jacob  Womack  Benjamin  Gist 

Joseph  Wilson  John  Shelly 

Thomas  Houghton  Mishl.  Woods 

Andrew  Greer  Joseph  Walton 

William  Been  Wm.  McNabb 

William  Clark  John  McNabb 

Zachr.  Isbell  Robt.  Lucas 

Benjamin  Wilson  William  Cobb 

State  vs.  Shadrack  Morris. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  the  defendant  give 
security  for  his  good  behavior  in  the  sum  of  two  hundred 
pounds  himself  and  two  securities  in  the  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred pounds  each  for  his  good  behavior  for  twelve 
months.  Shadrack  Morris  came  into  Court  and  acknow- 
ledged himself  indebted  in  the  sum  of  200  pounds.  John 
Gibson  and  John  Durham  acknowledged  themselves  in- 
debted to  the  sum  of  100  pounds  each.  To  be  levied  on 
their  goods  and  chattels. 

William  Cocke  by  his  Council  Waightsil  Avery  his 
Attorney  moved  to  be  admitted  to  the  office  of  Clerk  of 
County  Court  of  Washington  county,  which  motion  was 
rejected  by  the  Court,  knowing  John  Sevier  was  entitled 
to  the  office. 

25th  August,  1778. 

The  Sheriff  returns  here  in  court  a  certain  declara- 
tion in  the  trespass  and  ejectment  at  the  suit  of  Samuel 
Saveall  on  the  demise  of  George  Wilfong  and  Cathrine 
Adams.  Against  Simpleton  Spendall.  With  a  certain 
notice  on  the  back  of  the  declaration  a  copy  whereof 


14  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

was  served  by  the  sheriff  upon  John  Redding,  as  tenant 
defendant  instead  of  the  said  Simpleton  Spendall.  Other- 
wise John  would  be  turned  out  of  possession. 

On  motion  of  Atty  Waighstil  Avery  for  John  Red- 
ding. It  being  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  the  suit  be 
dismist. 

On  petition  of  Amos  Gavin  setting  forth  that  he  has 
built  a  grist  mill  on  Roan  creek,  he  the  only  proprietor  of 
the  land  on  one  side  of  the  Creek,  and  James  Mandan 
owns  the  land  on  the  other  side,  and  that  the  said  James 
be  summoned  to  appear  in  next  court  to  answer  said  pe- 
tition which  is  commanded  that  the  said  James  be  sum- 
moned. 

State  to  Moses  Crawford — It  is  the  opinion  of  the 
court  that  the  defendant  be  imprisoned  during  the  pres- 
ent war  with  Great  Britain  and  the  Sheriff  take  the  whole 
of  his  estate  into  custody,  which  be  valued  by  a  jury  at 
the  next  court,  and  that  one  half  of  the  said  estate,  be 
kept  by  said  Sheriff  for  the  use  of  the  State,  and  the 
other  half  be  remitted  to  the  family  of  the  Defdt.  (Craw- 
ford was  one  of  the  deserters,  on  the  march  to  the  bat- 
tle of  King's  Mountain.) 

640  acres  of  land  from  Charles  Robertson  to  Joshua 
Houghton,  proved  by  Thomas  Houghton. 

587  acres  of  land  by  Charles  Robertson  to  Thomas 
Houghton,  Esqur. 

Samuel  Tate  ordered  to  pay  2  percent  to  the  Chair- 
man for  insulting  the  Court. 

States  evidence — Elizabeth  Shoat  sworn 
Edward  Shoat 

Dfts.  Evidence — Jean  Williams,  Jurat. 
Lidia  Cross 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  court,  John  Rodgers  be  sent 
to  the  Supreme  Court. 

Motion  of  Samuel  Tate  to  confirm  a  judgment  of 
Washington  Court  of  Virginia  that  Ann  Newland  should 
serve  a  certain  time  mend,  in  sd.  court. 

Is  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  the  said  order  is  il- 
legal and  the  said  Ann  Newland  be  set  free  and  discharg- 
ed being  no  longer  a  servant. 

Samuel  Tate  came  into  court  and  prayed  an  appeal 
to  the  Supreme  court,  which  was  granted.  (Samuel  Tate, 
like  Shylock,  wanted  his  pound  of  flesh.) 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  15 

Joshua  Bolden  vs.  John  Rice. 
Verdict  for  the  Defdt. 

27th,  August,  1778 

Ordered  that  John  Sevier,  clerk,  be  admitted  to  take 
30  lbs.  for  his  service. 

Ordered  that  Valentine  Sevier,  Sheriff,  be  allowed 
for  his  exofficio  services  the  sum  of  50  lbs. 

Ordered  the  John  Sevier  be  pd.  60  lbs.  for  his  exoffi- 
cio services  for  the  year  of  1778. 

Ordered  that  William  Ward  be  allowed  30  lbs  for 
summoning  26  people  to  give  an  inventory  of  their  es- 
tates. 

Ordered  Emanuel  Carter  3  lbs  for  summoning  40  to 
appear. 

Ordered  Samuel  Lyle,  4  lbs.  for  summoning  60  to 
appear. 

Ordered  John  Smith,  4  lbs  for  summoning  65  to  ap- 
pear. 

State  vs.  Henry  Box. 

Opinion  of  the  court  that  Henry  Box  be  discharged. 

Ephraim  Dunlap  motion  to  send  Isaac  Butler  to  the 
Continental  army  to  serve  three  years  or  during  the  war. 

On  hearing  the  facts  the  court  ordered  Isaac  Butler 
to  be  jailed  until  they  could  deliver  him  to  a  Continental 
Officer. 

The  court  had  Clark  to  certify  that  Ephraim  Dunlap 
was  a  gentleman  of  honesty,  probity,  good  behavior,  and 
well  qualified  to  act  as  an  atto. 

Aug.  27,  1778. 

Benjamin  Rodgers  vs.  Peter  Ford. 

Caveat  returned  by  the  Sheriff,  settled  and  agreed. 
All  fees  paid.  Val  Sevier,  Abraham  Sevier,  Julius  Rob- 
inson, Zachriah  White,  Dempsey  Ward,  Andrew  Thomp- 
son, Gideon  Morris,  Robert  Sevier,  Jermiah  Duncan,  came 
into  court  and  took  the  oath  of  Allegiance. 

Ordered  that  the  sheriff  make  the  sale  of  six  head 
of  Creatures  taken  by  John  Sevier  from  Joseph  Box  call- 
ed the  property  of  Zekiah  Collins,  wheel  right,  and  make 
return  of  money  arising  from  the  sale  thereof  to  the 
Treasurer. 


16  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Isaac  Buller  was  ordered  to  apprehend  two  deser- 
ters, Joshua  Williams  and  a  certain  Dyer. 

320  acres  of  land  from  John  Moore  to  Cleaver 
Barksill,  and  the  same  to  be  recorded. 

Joshua  Buller,  by  his  council  Waightsil  Avery  being 
before  the  court  moved  to  be  discharged  from  comitment 
of  Michael  Woods  and  William  Clark,  Esqurs;  Justices 
of  the  peace  to  the  Goals  of  the  said  county  in  order  to 
be  turned  over  to  the  Continental  Service  for  three  years 
or  during  the  war. 

Upon  the  information  of  facts,  the  court  is  of  the 
opinion  that  Joseph  Buller  ought  to  be  discharged,  and 
he  is  therefore  here  discharged. 

Aug.  26,  1778. 

Ordered  that  Amos  Bird  and  John  Smith  to  attend 
the  next  supreme  court  as  Jurymen. 

Ord.  that  Margaret  White  an  Orphan  girl  be  bound 
unto  Baptist  McNabb  until  the  said  girl  comes  to  the  age 
of  18,  he  the  said  Baptist  conforming  to  the  laws  maid 
and  provided  for  the  same. 

Controversy  between  Robert  Young  and  Evan  Shelby 
defendant  should  not  be  received. 

Michael  Hider  vs  in  law  Amos  Bird. 

The  jury  find  for  the  plaintiff — Warrant  issued  ac- 
cordingly.    My  fees  paid. 

Bartley  Hinson  vs  Caveat  on  land  Robert  Patterson. 

The  jury  for  the  plaintiff.  Ord.  that  warrant  issue. 

McNabb  vs.  Z.  White 

Motion  ord.  that  a  commission  issue  to  Andrew 
Greer  and  John  Shelby,  Esq.  to  take  the  disposition  of 
Elias  Lane  on  behalf  of  Zachary  White  that  the  same  be 
given  in  the  above  suit. 

State  vs.  Moses  Crawford. 

A  summons  from  under  the  hand  of  Wm.  Clarke,  Esq. 
one  of  the  Justices  of  peace  for  said  county  requiring 
Moses  Crawford  to  appear  before  this  court  the  first  day 
of  the  present  setting  thereof  and  take  the  oath  of  Alle- 
giance to  this  State  is  returned  into  court  here  by  John 
Smith  Constable  executed  on  the  said  Crawford.  The 
said  Moses  Crawford  shall  be  permitted  to  remain  within 
the  State  and  that  the  said  Moses  for  the  offense  afore- 
said hath  incurred  the  penalties  that  shall  be  subject  to 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  17 

all  the  disa.  in  such  case  enacted  and  provided  in  the 
9th  section  of  an  act  entitled  an  act  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  declaring  what 
crime  and  practices  vs.  the  State  shall  be  Treason  or 
Misprison  for  Treason  and  providing  punishment  ade- 
quate to  crimes  of  both  Classes  and  for  preventing  the 
dangers  that  may  arise  from  persons  disaffected  to  the 
State. 

James  Daniel  vs.  Evan  Shelby. 

Verdict  for  Shelby.  Ord.  that  warrant  be  issued  ac- 
cordingly. 

The  State  vs.  John  Rodgers. 

Defend,  brought  for  trial  and  upon  the  trial  pleads 
not  guilty. 

Ord.  that  the  sheriff  summon  Amos  Bird,  John  Clark, 
Isaac  Johnson,  Danl.  Kennedy,  Wm.  Trimble,  Francis 
Hughes.  John  Nave,  Joseph  English,  Adam  Wilson,  John 
Russell,  Pharoali  Cobb,  Benj.  Cobb,  Josiah  Hoskins, 
Philip  Shelly,  John  Hoskins,  Solomon  Smith,  Samuel 
Henry,  Jonas  and  Little  to  serve  on  the  Grand  Jury  at 
our  next  term  of  court. 

Christopher  Cunningham  came  into  court  and  took 
the  oath  of  Allegiance. 

Joseph  Denton,  David  Hickey,  Michael  Hider  came 
in  court  and  took  the  oath  of  Allegiance. 

Michael  Hider  by  his  att.  Luke  Bowyer  prayed  a 
continuance  of  his  suit  vs.  Amos  Bird  until  next  court. 
Granted. 

James  Denton  had  the  earmarks  of  his  cattle  record- 
ed. 

Ord.  that  Thomas  Price  and  William  Blevins  be 
sumd.  to  appear  at  next  term  of  court  to  prove  the  con- 
vey, of  the  Watagua  Purchase  to  Charles  Robertson  on 
behalf  of  the  people  living  thereon. 

Christopher  Cunningham  was  indebted  to  the  court 
for  100  lbs.  to  appear  as  witness  for  the  State  vs  Elijah 
Robertson  in  behalf  of  the  State.  (Elijah  Robertson  was 
up  for  being  inimical  to  the  State.) 

Joseph  Tipton,  Charles  Robertson  (Buffalo)  Hugh 
Henry,  Jno.  Hughs,  Saml.  Denton,  Geo.  Little,  Jas.  Den- 
ton, John  Cunningham,  Thorn.  Little,  John  Brown,  Sr., 
John  Brown,  Jr.,  William  Reeves,  Jacob  Chamberlain, 
Gorden  Reeves,  came  in  court  and  took  the  oath  of  Alle- 
giance to  the  State. 


18  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

November  Term,  1778.  Met  at  the  dwelling  house 
of  Matthew  Talbert. 

Present 
John  Carter,  Chairman. 
Charles  Robertson  Joseph  Wilson 

John  McNabb  William  McNabb 

Thomas  Houghton  William  Clark 

James  Stuart  Benjamin  Gist 

The  first  business  was  to  admit  Ephraim  Dunlap  to 
practice  law  in  this  court,  he  producing  his  licence  sign- 
ed by  Samuel  Spencer  and  Samuel  Ashe,  Chief  Justice  for 
the  state. 

Ord.  Jacob  Womack,  Jesse  Walton,  Geo.  Russell, 
Joseph  Willson,  Zach.  Isbell,  and  Benjamin  Gist  appoint- 
ed to  lay  off  the  place  for  erecting  the  Court  house,  prison 
stocks,  and  the  said  return  is  ord.  filed  in  the  court 
office. 

Michael  Bacon  and  James  Pearce  leave  to  build 
mills  on  Limestone  creek,  but  they  both  to  build  on  their 
own  land. 

William  McNabb,  stray  msater. 

John  Brown  sold  358  acres  to  Humphrey  Gibson. 

Ord.  that  Pheba  Collins  have  three  creatures  return- 
ed to  her  that  was  ord.  by  the  court  to  be  sold  by  the 
Sheriff,  the  creatures  supposed  to  belong  to  Hezekiah 
Collins. 

Ord.  that  Betsy  Fauling  and  John  Chisam  Esq.  have 
leave  of  administration  on  the  estate  of  William  Fauling, 
Deed,  they  first  giving  bond. 

Danl.  Kennedy,  John  Nave,  Benja.  Cobb,  Solomon 
Smith,  Saml.  Henry,  Jonas  Little,  Caleb  Odull,  Jas.  Hollis, 
Ed  Smith,  Hum.  Gibson,  Jas.  Pearce,  John  Moore,  Matt 
Little,  Jas.  Mauldin,  Julius  Robertson,  James  Henry,  and 
William  Asher  Jurymen. 

Ord.  that  Hump.  Gibson  be  fined  10  lbs.  for  swear- 
ing in  court. 

Ord.  Amos  Bird,  John  Clark,  Francis  Hughes,  Joseph 
English,  Adam  Wilson,  Pharoah  Cobb,  Josiah  Hoskins, 
Phillip  Shelly,  and  John  Hoskins  be  fined  accord,  to  law 
for  not  attending  the  Grand  Jury. 

24th  Nov.  1778. 

Present 
Jas.  Wilson,  Benjam.  Gist,  James  Stuart,  John  Mc- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  19 

Mahon,  Wm.   Clark,  Thomas  Houghton,  Jesse  Walton, 
Charles  Robertson,  Wm.  and  John  McNabb. 

Jacob  Brown  sold  400  acres  of  land  to  Peter  Mc- 
Name.  recorded. 

Jacob  Brown  sold  663  acres  of  land  to  Wm.  Ritchey 
recorded. 

Charles  Robertson,  340  acres  of  land  to  John  Mc- 
Mahon,  recorded. 

Jacob  Brown,  370  acres  of  land  to  Wm.  Clark,  re- 
corded. 

Jacob  Brown,  80  acres  to  Wm.  Clark. 

Jacob  Brown,  669  acres  to  Emanuel  Carter  recorded. 

Jacob  Brown,  350  acres  to  Isaac  Wilson,  recorded. 

Ann  Choate  admr.  of  Thomas  Choate  entered  Exekl. 
Smith,  Jas.  Hollis,  and  Robert  Sevier  her  security  to  the 
sum  of  3000  lbs. 

County  of  Tryon  did.  postm.  to  two  Justices  of  peace 
take  the  disposition  of  Danl.  Shipman  and  Jacob  Ship- 
man,  in  behalf  of  John  Robertson  defdt,  in  a  suit  with 
Peter  McLane,  plttf.  on  a  caveat. 

Ord.  Joel  Callahan  serve  as  Constable.  (He  was  one 
of  John  Sevier's  captains  in  the  King's  Mountain  battle.) 

Ord.  Davis  Fain  serve  as  constable. 

Ord.  Nathl.  Clark  serve  as  constable. 

Caleb  Hunter — Prin.  Recog.  200  lbs. 

Ashel  Rawlings  Security  each  100  lbs. 

Wm.  Hitchie. 

Void  on  condition  that  sd  Caleb  Hunter  makes  his 
appearance  at  the  next  term  of  court  and  not  depart 
without  leave. 

State  vs.  John  Gibson,  Pleads  not  guilty. 

Emanl.  Carter  and  Austin  Choate  witness  for  the 
State — sworn.  The  court  on  hearing  the  facts  ordered 
his  appearance  at  the  next  term  of  court  in  the  sum  of 
250  lbs.  and  two  security  125  lbs.  each. 

Ed  Rice  and  Jesse  Bonds  goes  his  security.  Void  if 
John  Gibson  makes  his  personal  appearance  at  next 
court,  and  not  depart  without  leave. 

25th  Nov.  Jacob  Brown,  220  acres  of  land  to  Wm. 
Nelson,  recorded. 

And  389  acres  to  same. 

And  460  acres  to  Elijah  Nelson. 


20  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Ord.  that  Richard  Woolidge  pay  the  sum  of  20  lbs. 
for  not  doing  his  duty  in  taking  care  of  James  Mauldin, 
who  was  committed  to  his  charge  as  constable. 

Ord.  that  Benjm.  Cobb  fined  31  lbs.  for  not  attend- 
ing the  G.  Jury. 

Ord.  the  Ded.  potestatem  to  2  justice  in  the  State 
of  South  Carolina,  to  take  depo.  of  Solomon  in  behalf  of 
John  Gilliland  in  a  suit  on  a  caveat  John  Shurley  pltff. 
Jno.  Gilliland  defdt. 

Jacob  Brown  300  acres  of  land  to  John  Heoms,  and 
202  acres  to  Cornealius  O'Neal,  and  673  acres  to  John 
Woods,  and  182  acres  to  Moses  Crawford  and  ord.  reed. 

Henry  Lyles  376  acres  to  Joshua  Houghton,  Charles 
Robertson,  376  acres  to  Henry  Lyles. 

Michl.  Woods  received  182  from  Moses  Crawford. 

Court  Adjourns. 

26,  Nov.  1778. 

Present  the  Worshipful 

Jesse  Walton,  Wm.  Clark,  Michl.  Woods,  Thomas 
Houghton,  Wm.  McNabb,  Rich.  White  Esqrs. 
John  Carter,  Esq.,  Chairman 

Jacob  Brown  proved  by  the  oath  of  John  Smith  the 
conveyance  of  3  certain  Tracts  of  Territorys  of  land  as  in 
the  deed  prescribed  conveyed  to  Brown  by  Oconostoto, 
the  Tennessee  warrior,  Breed  Slave  Catcher,  Artaculla- 
cullah,  and  Chenastoy,  Chiefs  of  the  Cherokee  Nation 
and  same  is  ord.  recorded. 

Road  be  laid  from  forks  of  Indian  creek  to  or  near 
Jacob  Brown,  John  Nave,  and  Robert  Young.  (Robert 
Young  shot  Ferguson  on  King's  Mountain.) 

Jonathan  Douglas  vs.  Jemima  Chancy. 

Emanl.  Carter,  Valentine  Sevier  witness  for  pltff. 

Henry  Lyle,  Jas.  Hollis,  Hump  Gibson.  Joseph  Dun- 
can, Jos.  Bullar,  Nathl.  Clark,  Chris  Cunningham,  John 
Gilliland,  Wm.  Nelson,  Chris  Cunningham,  Jr.,  Jas.  Meli- 
can  and  Robert  Young  jurymen. 

We  of  the  jury  do  find  for  the  plttf  twenty  pounds 
dam  :  Nathl.  Clarke  foreman. 

Baptist  McNabb  vs.  Zachariah  White,  debt. 
Non  Suit. 

Ord.  that  Eph.  Dunlap  be  fined  5  dollars  for  insult- 
ing the  court,  especially  Richard  White. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  21 

David  McNabb  vs.  Andrew  Greer,  debt. 

Judg.,  for  41  lbs.  13  sh.  4  pence  according  to  acct. 

filed. 

Adjourn. 

27th  Court  met. 

Present  the  Worshipful 
John  Carter,  Chairman 

Thos.  Houghton,  Wm.  McNabb,  Chris.  Cunningham, 
Michael  Woods,  Esqrs. 

Ord.  John  Sevier    be    appointed    Trustee    for    the 

county. 

Robert  Young  vs.  Evan  Shelby,  Caveat. 

The  jury  make  return  that  a  certain  Big  spring  Run 
ought  to  be  the  line  and  that  the  survey  run  a  paralell 
line  with  sd.  spring  Run,  and  it  is  consid.  that  ord  be 
issued  accord. 

Ord.  that  Richd.  Willson,  Isaac  Johnson,  Thomas 
Gillespie,  David  McCord,  Jesse  Been,  John  Trimble,  Sam- 
uel Culberson,  Michael  Bacon,  John  B.  McMahon,  John 
Gillaland,  Jas.  Stinson  be  summoned  for  next  court  as 
jury. 

Valentine  Sevier  Entd.  himself,  Jno.  Carter,  and 
Charles  Robertson,  his  security,  in  the  sum  of  three  thou- 
sand pounds  for  his  faithful  discharge  of  the  public  mon- 
ies that  may  be  delivered  into  his  hands  from  the  different 
Tax  Gatherers  for  the  year  of  1778. 

John  Sevier  Entd.  himself  with  John  Carter  and 
Charles  Robertson  his  security  in  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
pounds  for  his  faithful  discharge  as  County  Trustee. 

Cleavers  Barksdale,  Deputy  Sheriff  for  the  county. 

Charles  Robertson  overseer  of  road  from  Little  Ford 
on  the  Holston  to  Matthew  Talbert's  on  the  Watagua. 

(Part  of  the  1779  Record  missing  at  this  point.) 

Monday,  Feb.  22,  1779. 

Thomas  Jonathan,  had  his  ear  mark  on  his  crops 
record. 

Joseph  Tipton,  445  acres  of  land  to  Robert  Young, 
record. 

Charles  Robertson,  487  acres  to  Robert  Young,  re- 
cord. 

Chas.  Robertson,  400  acres  to  John  Been,  record. 


22  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Matthew  Talbert,  Jacob  Brown,  Jno.  Stuart,  Wm. 
Trimble,  Isaiah  Hamilton,  Robert  Young,  Jr.,  Samuel  and 
Adam  Sherrell,  Robert  Cullwell,  Jas.  Grimes,  Joseph  Tip- 
ton Chris.  Taylor  Robert  Blackburn,  Wm.  Nelson,  Nathl. 
Clark,  and  John  Nave  jurymen. 

Sworn. 

On  petition  of  Michl.  Bacon  setting  forth  that  three 
children,  to-wit :  a  boy  named  Charles  Hill,  aged  6  years, 

a  girl  named Craft  aged  9  years  and  a  boy  named 

Achilles  Craft  were  orphan  children  and  desired  that  the 
girl  and  the  youngest  boy  should  be  bound  to  himself  and 
the  oldest  bound  to  some  tradesman. 

The  court  have  considered  that  Michl.  Bacon  keep 
sd.  two  youngest  children,  in  his  possn.  and  that  sd  Michl. 
also  take  the  oldest  boy  who  is  now  out  of  his  custody  at 
this  time  into  his  custody  also. 

Ord.  Stephen  a  deserter  be  confined  and 

sent  to  District  Goal  of  Salisbury  or  delivered  to  some 
Continental  officer. 

Uriah  Hunt  fined  for  insulting  the  court. 

State  vs.  John  Holley  Sr.  on  tryal  for  being  inimical 
to  the  common  cause  pleads  not  guilty. 

Sam.  Matthews,  Dicey  Matthews,  Caleb  Hunter  wit- 
ness for  the  State. 

The  court  on  hearing  the  facts  and  the  testimony  of 
the  witness  it  is  of  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  dfdt.  be 
sent  to  the  superior  court  for  further  trial. 

Tuesday  23,  Feb.  1779. 

State  vs.  George  Lewis  for  treason  vs.  the  State,  Wm. 
Williams,  Elizabeth  English  witness  for  the  State,  sworn. 

On  hearing  the  facts  and  considering  the  testimony 
of  the  witness,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  dfdt.  be 
sent  to  District  Goal,  it  appears  to  the  court  that  sd.  Lewis 
is  a  spie  or  an  officer  from  Florida  out  of  the  English 
Army. 

State  vs.  John  Holley,  Jr.,  for  treason,  Caleb  Hunter 
witness  for  the  State.  It  is  the  opinion  that  the  dfdt.  is 
not  guilty,  and  is  ord.  discharged. 

State  vs.  Jonathan  Holley  for  treason,  on  hearing  the 
facts  the  court  ord.  discharge  of  Holley. 

State  vs.  Thomas  Barker  for  treason.  On  hearing 
the  facts  the  court  ord.  discharges. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  23 

State  vs.  Alexr.  Choatwood  for  treason,  the  court 
ord.  his  discharge. 

State  vs.  William  Bryant  for  treason,  the  court  ord. 
his  discharge. 

State  vs.  Francis  Holley  for  treason,  the  court  ord. 
his  discharge. 

Robert  Cullwell  fined  for  insulting  the  court. 

Ord.  that  the  negroes  now  in  the  possession  of  Adam 
Wilson,  Esq.,  the  property  of  John  Holley,  Sr.,  be  de- 
livered to  the  wife  of  John  Holley,  Sr.  In  case  she  gives 
bond  and  sufficient  security  to  the  sum  of  5000  pounds 
for  her  safe  keeping  and  delivering  the  negroes  and  other 
personal  property  of  John  Holley  whenever  demanded  by 
proper  authority  in  behalf  of  the  State  of  North  Caro- 
lina. Otherwise  the  Sheriff  take  the  negroes  and  other 
personal  property  into  his  possession. 

John  Holley,  Thomas  Barker,  William  Storey,  Jona- 
than Holley,  and  John  McMahin  go  the  security  of  5000 
for  Rebecca  Holley. 

Ord.  Rich.  Willson  serve  as  constable. 
Ord.  John  Redding  serve  as  constable. 
Wm.  McNabb  to  Elijah  Robertson  206  acres  of  land  so 
recorded. 

Ord.  Joel  Callahan  be  summed  to  appear  in  next 
court  to  show  why  a  fine  of  10  lb.  shall  not  be  award  for 
refusing  to  serve  as  constable. 

Charles  Robertson,  420  acres  to  William  Been,  re- 
corded. 

Charles  Robertson,  to  560  acres  to  William  Been,  re- 
corded. 

George  Lumkins  sold  Jo  a  negro  fellow  20  years 
and  Dianah  a  negro  wench,  and  same  is  recorded. 

Rob.  Shurley,  fined  for  insulting  the  court. 

R.  Culwell  fined  for  insulting  the  court. 

Court  adjourned. 

Court  Met  24  day 

Present  John  Carter,  Chairman;  Ben  Willson,  An- 
drew Greer,  John  McNabb,  Thomas  Houghton,  Jesse 
Walton  Esqrs. 

State  vs.  Moses  Crawford,  Treason. 

James  Greeleem  Chas.  Adkins,  John  Smith,  State 
witness.    Sworn. 


24  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

The  court  on  hearing  the  facts  and  the  testimony 
of  witness  prd.  Moses  Crawford  to  the  Goal  for  further 
tryal. 

The  above  ordered  vs.  Crawford  Reed. 

Chas.  Robertson,  to  Chris.  Cunningham  land,  also 
four  others,  of  530,  300,  640,  390  acres  to  Rob.  Lucas  and 
300  acres  to  Edw.  Lucas. 

On  motion  of  Moses  Crawford  by  his  council  L. 
Bowyer  that  the  order  for  sending  Crawford  to  the  Salis- 
bury Goal  be  reconsidered  and  Moses  be  discharged  on 
taking  the  State  Oath,  and  giving  bond  and  security  in 
the  sum  of  10,000  lbs.  The  court  on  condg.  the  case  do 
permit  sd.  Moses  to  remain  and  be  discharged,  he  giving 
such  bond  and  taking  the  Oath.  John  Russell,  John 
Redding,  John  Smith,  Robt.  Cullwell,  John  Stuart,  Aron 
B — son  and  William  Story  jointly  go  Moses  Crawford's 
security. 

Void  on  condition  that  Moses  Crawford  be  of  peace- 
able and  good  behavior  in  all  cases  especially  toward  the 
good  and  safety  of  the  Independant  State  of  North  Caro- 
lina, also  United  States  of  America.  Moses  Crawford  took 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and 
is  so  recorded. 

Thursday,  25. 

Valentine  Sevier,  Jr.,  360  acres  of  land  to  Valentine 
Sevier,  Sr.,  recorded.  Peter  McName  came  in  court  and 
gave  the  names  of  delinquents  in  taxes.  Robert  Cullwell 
fined  for  insulting  the  court. 

On  motion  of  John  Holly  by  his  council  Ephm.  Dun- 
lap  that  he  be  requitted  from  being  sent  to  the  Salisbury 
Goal  for  Treason  on  his  giving  bond  for  twenty  thous- 
and pounds  with  security,  for  good  behavior  in  all  cases 
whatsoever.  The  Court  is  of  the  opinion  that  Holley  may 
and  be  discharged  he  giving  bail  accordingly. 

John  Clark,  Robt.  Cullwell,  Isaiah  Hamilton,  James 
Moore,  and  Jonathan  Holley  jointly  go  Holley's  bail. 
Void  on  condition  John  Holley  be  of  good  and  peaceable 
behavior  in  all  cases  whatever,  especially  towards  the 
good  and  safety  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  also  In- 
dependent States  of  America. 

(He  does  not  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  and  later 
his  bondmen  give  him  up  and  he  is  sentenced  to  the  Goal 
for  a  year,  and  his  estate  was  confiscated.  He  was  not 
a  Tory,  but  stood  for  a  principle  as  he  saw  it.) 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  25 

Amos  Bird  vs.  Michael  Hider  in  land  dispute  the 
Court  ordered  that  Bird  and  Hider  have  their  land  re- 
surveyed. 

Wm.  Brockus  vs.  Wm.  Fauling,  Henry  Hickey,  Jesse 
Been  and  Elizabeth  Craig  were  witness. 

Wm.  Ward  and  Joseph  Tipton  were  summoned  for  not 
serving  as  constables. 

Thomas  Young  and  Evan  Edwards  to  serve  as  con- 
stables. 

Jacob  Brown,  176  acres  to  James  Grimes. 

Joseph  Bullar  to  Michael  Bacon  143  acres  of  land. 

Valentine  Sevier  vs.  Isaac  Ruddell  attachment,  judg. 
and  orde  to  acct.  proved.  58  lbs. 

State  vs.  Andrew  Greer. 

John  Carter  and  Robert  Lanier.    On  attachment. 
It  is  the  opinion  of  the  court  the  attachment  is  illegal 
and  ought  not  to  lye. 

Court,  24th  day  of  May,  1779. 

Present  the  Worshipful :  John  Carter,  Charles  Rob- 
ertson, John  McNabb,  Geo.  Russell,  Rob  Lucas,  Thos. 
Houghton,  Benj.  Gist,  Jas.  Stuart,  Wm.  McNabb,  Wm. 
Cobb,  Valentine  Sevier  appointed  Sheriff. 

The  last  will  and  Testament  of  Rebecca  Vandepool 
was  proven  by  Thos.  Houghton,  and  James  Grissome,  and 
the  same  recorded.. 

Thomas  Hardeman  has  his  mark  for  creatures  re- 
corded. 

Teter  Nave  have  leave  to  administrative  on  the  es- 
tate of  Abraham  Vanderpool,  give  bond  and  security  for 
the  same. 

Tuesday,  25  May,  1779. 

Charles  Robertson,  400  acres  to  William  Sharp,  re- 
corded. 

Charles  Robertson,  480  acres  to  Garrett  Fitzgerald. 

State  vs.  Dick,  Stealing  a  bell. 

Defdt.  pleads  not  guilty. 

Wm.  Thornton  witness  for  the  State. 

Ben  Dick  gives  security  for  appearance  at  court,  500 
lbs.  Robert  Bayley  and  Chas.  England  were  the  securi- 
ties. 


26  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Benj.  Holley,  High  Treason,  Jesse  Walton  and  Jesse 
Bond  witness  for  the  State. 

Ord.  that  John  Murphy  be  fined  the  sum  of  twenty 
pounds  for  ill  treatment  of  his  father,  Patrick  Murphy. 

Ord.  that  Patrick  Murphy  be  fined  for  20  lbs.,  for 
insulting  Zachariah  Isbell  a  member  sitting  on  the 
bench. 

State  vs.  Patrick  Murphy  for  stealing  two  hogs  the 
property  of  Zach  Isbell  and  Thomas  Evans.  Jas.  Craw- 
ford and  Wm.  Murphy  witness  for  the  State,  John  Smith, 
Richard  Travillian  and  John  Redding  witness  for 
Murphy.  Sworn.  The  Court  ord.  that  Murphy  pay  to 
Zach  Isbell  for  his  hog  26  lbs.,  and  for  Evans  hog  10  lbs. 
and  receive  on  his  bare  back  well  laid  on  by  the  Sheriff, 
20  lashes. 

Matthew  Talbert,  Jr.,  was  made  Deputy  surveyor 
under  Jas.  Stuart,  Esq. 

Wednesday,  26. 

Present  the  Worshipful,  Jesse  Walton,  Zach.  Isbell, 
Wm.  Clark,  John  McNabb,  John  Chisholm. 

James  Jones  and  Thomas  Young  appointed  con- 
stables. 

Court  ord.  John  Bond  do  keep  and  take  care  of 
George  and  Mary  Bond,  orphans,  until  properly  bound  to 
him  as  prescribed  by  law. 

Ord.  that  the  depo  of  George  Kilham  in  county  of 
Burke  be  taken  in  behalf  of  John  Nave  in  suit  with  James 
Greelee. 

Ord.  that  the  depo.  of  John  Colter  of  Washington 
county,  Virginia  be  taken  in  behalf  of  John  Nave  in  suit 
against  John  Clark. 

Ord.  Jas.  Roddy,  Ligh  Hoskins  and  Jesse  Hoskins 
assess  taxable  property  lying  above  Iron  Mountain  and 
return  to  Richard  White. 

Ord.  Matt  Talbert  Sr.,  Andrew  Taylor,  Clevers 
Barksdell  assess  below  the  Iron  Mountain  including  the 
waters  of  Brush  creek  and  Watagua,  and  also  on  the  N. 
of  Watagua  make  returns  to  Thomas  Houghton. 

Ord.  that  Wm.  Been,  Jr.,  Jarrett  Fitzgerald,  Pha- 
roah  Cobb  assess  all  below  Iron  Mountain  as  far  as  the 
Big  Limestone,  extending  as  far  North  as  Browns  line,, 
and  make  returns  to  William  Cobb. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  27 

Ord.  Jacob  Brown,  John  Woods,  Jonathan  Tipton 
assess  all  below  Iron  Mountain  as  far  as  the  Big  Lime- 
stone, extending  as  far  North  as  Browns  line,  and  make 
returns  to  Wm.  Clark. 

Ord.  that  Henry  Earnest,  Sealy  Rawlings,  and  Sam- 
uel Lyles  assess  all  below  Big  Limestone  on  the  North  side 
of  Chucky,  and  all  below  John  Sevier's  Mill  Creek  on 
North  side  of  Nolachucky,  and  make  return  to  Jos.  Will- 
son,  Esq. 

Ord.  that  John  Robertson,  Bradley  Gambril,  James 
Abbott  and  Valentine  Little,  serve  as  constable. 

Court  adjourned. 

Thurs.  27 

David  Robertson  vs.  Barnabas  Anderson,  Cavit. 

Jury  find  for  the  Dftd.  Ord  issue  accdly. 

Garrot  Fitzgerald  vs.  Thomas  Titsworth,  Cavit 
agreed. 

Martin  Armstrong  vs.  John  Caviack.  Dis.  by  order 
of  pltff. 

David  Robertson  vs.  Wm.  Ritche.  Cavit  jury  find  for 
pltff.    The  court  ordered  a  new  tryal. 

William  Nelson  vs.  Samuel  Handly.  Cavit  Jury  find 
for  Pltff.  Ord.  issue  accdgly. 

Edward  Hughes  vs.  James  Grimes,  cavit  Dismd  by 
ord.  of  pltff. 

Daniel  Keith  vs.  David  Fain,  Cavit  jury  find  for  pltff. 

John  Gilahan  vs.  Charles  McCartney,  cavit  Dismisd. 
by  ord.  of  pltff.    All  my  fees  paid. 

Alexr.  Duglass  vs.  Jacob  Vance,  cavit  jury  find  for 
pltff. 

John  Nave  vs.  John  Clark,  cavit  jury  find  spl.  verdict 
cond  for  pltff. 

Nathl.  Clark  vs.  John  Stuart,  cavit  jury  find  for  pltff. 

James  McCord  vs.  Wm.  Ritchee.  Cavit  jury  find  for 
pltff.  The  dfdt.  pleads  for  new  tryal,  court  decided  with 
the  jury. 

John  Shurley  vs.  John  Gilliland,  cavit  jury  find  for 
pltff  ord  acco. 

William  Story  vs.  Henry  Massingill,  cavit  jury  find 
for  pltff. 

William  Ritchee  prays  an  appeal  to  the  Superior 
court  in  his  suit  with  McCord  on  a  cavit.  Court  granted 
the  appeal. 


28  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Joseph  Fowler  serves  as  a  constable. 

Charles  Robertson,  240  acres  of  land  to  Christopher 
Cunningham — if  not  entered  before. 

Wm.  Ritchee  proved  his  earmark  for  cattle.  Re- 
corded. 

Ord.  take  the  depo.  of  David  Looney  and  Jas.  Mc- 
Cain on  behalf  of  Peter  Huffman,  defdt.  in  a  suit  with 
William  Cocke,  on  a  cavit. 

John  Dunham  vs.  John  Colter,  cavit  jury  find  for  the 
pltff  ord.  issues  accdg. 

John  Holley  vs.  Richard  Travillian,  cavit  jury  find 
for  the  pltff.  rcl.  issue  accdg. 

James  Charters  vs.  Jacob  Womack,  cavit  Agd.  by 
ord.  of  pltff. 

Philip  Mulky  vs.  Wm.  Cobb.  Cavit  agreed  by  ord. 
of  pltff. 

Jacob  Vance  vs.  Jas.  Moore,  cavit  Dis.  by  order  of 
pltff. 

Wm.  Thornton  vs.  David  Huckky,  cavit  jury  find  for 
pltff. 

Charles  Duncan  vs.  Samuel  Fain,  jury  find  for  pltff 
ord.  issue  accdgly. 

Elija  Robertson  to  appear  in  court.  John  Gilliland 
his  security. 

Elisha  Bauding  to  appear  in  court,  Wm.  Flanary  and 
Jas.  Wray  his  security. 

Ord.  that  James  Millican  be  fined  24  lb.  for  insulting 
the  court. 

On  petition  of  Joseph  Campbell  it  is  ord.  that  he  be 
discharged  from  payment  of  any  public  or  county  tax. 

Robert  Bayley  came  in  court  and  delivered  Ben  Duke 
Middleton  who  he  was  security  for  the  last  court,  and 
B.  Middleton  is  brought  into  custody. 

James  Hollis  came  in  court  and  proved  by  his  oath 
with  an  acct.  of  28  lb;  13  sh.  4  p.  against  the  estate  of 
Wm.  Rauling  deed. 

Samuel  Tate  Prin.  in  the  sum  of  1000  lb.  Robert 
Sevier  and  James  Wray  his  security.  Void  on  condition 
that  Tate  makes  his  personal  appearance  in  our  next 
court  to  answer  such  things  as  shall  there  and  then  be  ob- 
jected against  him. 

Samuel  Henry  vs.  Andrew  Greer.     Debt  on  Inqy. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  2D 

Jas.  Hollis,  Thomas  Gillespie,  Peter  McName,  John 
Casady,  Wm.  Ritchey,  Joseph  Duncan,  Christ  Taylor, 
John  Dunham,  Bednego  Inman,  Jonathan  Edwards, 
Charles  Gentry,  jurymen. 

Jury  find  for  the  plaintiff  58 lb,  14  sh.,  9  p. 

Andrew  Greer  vs.  David  Josb.  Cavit — The  court  or- 
ders a  new  tryal. 

Andrew  Taylor  vs.  John  McNabb.  Cavit  jury  find 
for  pltff  orders  to  issue  accdg. 

John  Dunham  vs.  Abel  Lanham,  cavit  jury  find  for 
the  pltff. 

George  Wilfong,  Admr.  vs.  John  Clark.  Cavit  jury 
find  for  the  pltff.  Court  orders  that  orders  for  warrant 
issue  accdg. 

John  Clark  came  into  court  and  prayed  for  an  appeal 
for  his  suit  George  Wilfong  vs.  him  on  a  cavit  which  ap- 
peal was  granted. 

George  Wilfong  was  Admr.  of  Philip  Adams  deed. 

Court  adjourn. 

26th.  Present,  John  Carter  Cha.,  Charles  Robertson, 
And.  Greer,  Thomas  Houghton,  Wm.  Clark,  Geo.  Russell, 
Zach.  White. 

Ord.  that  the  sheriff  collect  from  William  Moore  four 
fold,  his  taxable  property  being  appraised  by  best  infor- 
mation that  John  Woods,  Jacob  Brown,  and  Jonathan 
Tipton  Assessors  could  get  to  the  sum  of  Eight  thousand 
pounds. 

Andrew  Greer  vs.  Howel  Doddy.  Cavit  Jury  find  for 
Defdt. 

Wm.  Cocke  vs.  Peter  Hufman.  Cavit  jury  find  for 
defdt. 

Philip  Mulcky  vs.  Pharoah  Cobb.  Cavit  Disd.  by  or- 
der of  pltff. 

Ord.  that  the  sheriff  take  and  receive  8  dollars  per 
day  on  juries  on  Cavits.  Also  8  shillings  for  each  juryman 
that  he  shall  summon  also  each  juryman  shall  and  may  be 
entitled  to  receive  32  shillings  per  day  for  his  attendance 
to  try  such  cavits. 

Andrew  Taylor  vs.  John  McNabb.  Cavit  jury  find 
for  pltff.  Defdt.  pleads  for  a  new  tryal.  The  court  on 
considering  the  case  order  a  new  tryal. 

Ord.  that  the  Sheriff  seize  all  the  property  of  Jacob 
and  Benjamin  Holley,  and  also  the  property  of  George 
Underwood. 


30  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Ord.  that  the  Sheriff  seize  all  the  property  of  Isham 
Yearly. 

Ord.  that  a  depo.  of  Colonel  Charles  McDowell  on 
behalf  of  John  McNabb  Esq.  Defdt.  in  a  suit  with  An- 
drew Taylor. 

Wm.  Ward  proved  he  worked  4  days  as  constable. 

John  Sevier,  Jesse  Walton,  Zachariah  Isbell  enter- 
ed in  recognizance  to  the  Governor  with  Valentine  Se- 
vier, Andrew  Greer  and  Charles  Robertson  Esqr.  their 
security  in  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
pounds  for  faithful  discharge  as  commissioners  of  confis- 
cated estates. 

Aug.  1779. 

Justice  Joseph  Wilson,  Benj.  Gist,  Michl.  Woods, 
Wm.  Been,  Chas.  Robertson,  Jesse  Walton,  John  Chis- 
holm,  Thomas  Houghton,  Esqrs. 

Spruce  McCay,  Esq.,  moved  to  this  court  that  he 
might  be  admitted  as  an  attorney  to  practice  the  law  in 
this  court.  The  court  admitted  Spruce  McCay  after  he 
produced  his  license  from  Hon.  Sam  Ashe. 

David  Hughes  vs.  Lazarus  Cotton  ,Attamt. 

William  Trimble  vs.  Eduard  Hogan,  Attach. 

Henry  Earnest  proved  his  earmarks  and  was  re- 
corded. 

Ord.  that  John  McFarling  have  leave  to  Admin,  on 
the  estate  of  James  Richardson. 

Tuesday  morning. 

John  Carter,  Cha.,  Jos.  Willson,  Benjm.  Gist,  John 
McNabb,  Wm.  Clark,  and  Zach.  Isbell. 

Ord.  that  Adam  Willson,  Robert  Willson,  Jas.  Stin- 
son,  Jos.  Gist,  and  James  Rodgers  appointed  to  lay  off  a 
road  most  convenient  and  best  way  from  the  court  house 
of  Washington  down  to  Benj.  Gist,  and  make  return  at 
our  next  court.  Charles  Robertson,  300  acres  of  land  to 
William  Sharp,  and  600  acres  to  the  same. 

Ord.  that  Robert  Sevier  be  admitted  to  keep  an  or- 
dinary in  this  county  at  the  court  house. 

Wm.  Cobb,  Joseph  Willson,  Thomas  Houghton, 
make  a  report  of  taxable  property.  Robert  Lusk  to  ap- 
pear in  court,  Samuel  Lyle  and  Wm.  Thornton  his  se- 
curity. 

Jonathan  Edwards  vs.  David  Stoderd,  the  deft,  is 
discharged. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  31 

State  vs.  George  Dayley.  The  sd.  George  called  and 
failing  to  appear  the  court  therefore  ord.  that  Scire  of 
Facious  issue  vs  him  returnable  next  term  of  court. 

Ord.  that  Andrew  Greer  open  a  road  from  Col.  Se- 
vier's on  the  Watagua  to  within  2  miles  of  Solomon 
Smith.  Edward  Smith  open  a  road  from  Double  Creek  to 
Ning  Hoskins.    End  of  August  term,  1779. 

Nov.  22,  1779. 

Present:  John  McNabb,  Benj.  Gist,  and  John  Mc- 
Mahon. 

Ord.  that  Matthew  Talbert,  Jonathan  Tipton,  Fran- 
cis Hughes,  William  Ritchey,  Samuel  Williams,  Andrew 
Taylor,  James  Stinson,  Godfrey  Isbell  be  summoned  to 
show  cause  why  they  did  not  attend  the  Grand  Jury  acco 
to  summons. 

George  Webb,  580  acres  of  land  from  Shad  Morris. 

George  Webb,  480  acres  of  land  from  Benjamin  Py- 
burn  and  Mico  proved  by  oath  of  David  Webb. 

James  English  to  erect  a  grist  mill  on  his  place. 

Jacob  Dyck  ord.  into  the  custody  of  the  sheriff. 

Wm.  Marlin  proved  his  ear  mark  recorded. 

William  Richard  Davie  Esq.  produced  license  from 
the  Hon.  Samuel  Ashe  and  John  William  empowering  to 
practice  in  several  counties  in  this  State,  he  is  permitted 
to  practice  and  plead  in  this  court. 

Charles  Robertson,  580  acres  of  land  to  Shadrack 
Morriss. 

Jacob  Dyck  appeared  and  is  discharged  from  his 
recognizance. 

George  Vinson,  Hugh  Fulton,  and  Isaac  Taylor  ap- 
pointed surveyors. 

Benj.  Cobb,  Solomon  Smith,  John  Higgons,  Josiah 
Hoskins,  James  Mauldin  allowed  4  dollars  a  day  for 
assessing  1778. 

Fauling  Admr.  vs.  Brocken.  Jury,  Peter  McCaine, 
Zach  Dillinham,  Quilla  Lane,  Samuel  Williams,  John  Gil- 
laland,  James  Stinson,  James  Hollis,  Jonathan  Tipton, 
John  Clark,  Wm.  Ritchey,  Daniel  Henderson,  James  Ro- 
mine.    The  jury  finds  2000  lb.  damages. 

John  Nave  vs.  John  Clark  the  jury  finds  no  damages. 

John  Webb  vs.  Wm.  Cobb.  Cavit  continued  to  May 
court. 


32  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Ord.  Robert  Young  to  open  a  road  from  court  house 
to  Robert  Young's  place.  Ord.  Wm.  and  John  Moore, 
John  Ritchey  open  a  road  from  Burke's  line  to  the  head 
of  Buffalo  creek. 

(This  ends  the  1779  records,  and  I  give  1780  until 
the  last  before  the  King's  Mountain  battle.) 

February  Term,  1780 

At  a  court  begun  and  held  at  the  court  house  Febru- 
ary, 1780.  Present  the  Worshipful  John  Carter,  Cha., 
And  Greer,  Thomas  Houghton,  John  McNabb,  Charles 
Robertson,  Joseph  Willson  and  William  Been. 

On  motion  that  John  Carter  should  resign  his  office 
as  Entry  Taker.  The  court  have  taken  the  same  under 
consideration  and  do  receive  the  resignation.  The  court 
appoints  Landon  Carter  Entry-taker.  His  securities  were 
John  Sevier,  William  Cocke,  Charles  Robertson  and  John 
Carter. 

Sarah  Cullwell  have  leave  to  administering  the  es- 
tate of  Robert  Cullwell  Deed.  Andrew  Greer  and  Char- 
les Robertson  her  security. 

William  Cocke  is  given  license  to  practice  and  plead 
in  this  court. 

Ord.  if  Joseph  Buller  does  not  build  a  mill  on  his 
land  on  Limestone  within  the  time  limited,  William  Hut- 
ton  shall  have  leave  to  build  a  mill  on  his  land  on  Lime- 
stone. 

Ord.  William  Been  build  a  mill  on  Boone  Creek. 

Jacob  Fitzgerald,  Pharoah  Cobb,  Valentine  Little, 
made  oath  how  many  days  they  served  in  assessing. 

Ord.  that  the  clerk  certify  that  Thomas  Hardiman 
is  a  person  of  good  character. 

Charles  Robertson,  640  acres  to  Jarrett  Fitzgerald. 

Ord.  Druary  Goodin  be  appointed  guardian  of  Wil- 
liam Hardin. 

May  Term  1780 

Present,  the  Worshipful  John  McNabb,  Joseph  Will- 
son,  George  Russell,  Jesse  Walton. 

Ord.  that  Joseph  English,  Thomas  Gillaspy  and 
Thomas  Davis  be  appointed  to  appraise  the  Estate  of 
Robert  Culwell  Deed,  and  return  report  to  court. 

The  Last  Will  and  Testament  of  Joab  Mitchell,  Deed. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  33 

was  proven  by  oath  of  John  Colter,  Richard  Mitchell,  and 
James  Colter,  and  the  same  is  ord.  to  be  recorded. 

Ord.  that  Mary  Mitchell  have  leave  of  administra- 
tion on  the  Estate  of  Joab  Mitchell.  Mark  Mitchell  and 
George  Russell  her  security. 

The  court  have  appointed  Wm.  Been,  Thomas  Hardi- 
man  and  George  Russell  to  appraise  Joab  Mitchell  Es- 
tate. 

Samuel  Weaver  came  in  court  and  voluntarily  con- 
fest  that  he  had  been  in  the  English  army  in  several  en- 
gagements against  the  Americans  during  his  stay  with 
the  enemy,  etc.  The  Court  taken  the  same  in  considera- 
tion do  order  Samuel  Weaver  be  sent  to  the  superior  court 
for  further  tryal. 

Isom  Yearly  came  into  court  and  confest  that  he 
had  been  inimical  to  the  common  cause  of  Liberty.  The 
court  orders  him  sent  to  the  Superior  Court  for  tryal. 

A  power  of  attorney  from  John  Maglohlin  to  Moses 
Linville  was  proven  by  the  oath  of  Joseph  Willson,  Esq. 

A  bill  of  sale  from  Joseph  Fowler  to  David  Black- 
well  for  Ten  head  of  hogs. 

Agnes  Woods  have  leave  of  administration  on  the 
estate  of  John  Woods.  David  Hughes  and  Peter  Mc- 
Name  her  security. 

John  Hamilton,  John  Nave,  Peter  McName,  Saml. 
Williams,  Christ  Cunningham,  Asel  Rawlings,  Christo. 
Taylor,  John  Delaney,  Francis  Hamilton,  Simon  Bundy, 
Matthew  Talbert,  William  Campbell,  Joseph  Bullard, 
Robert  Gentry,  Grand  Jurymen,  sworn  and  charged. 
Matthew  Talbert  Foreman. 

Thomas  Brandon  appointed  Constable  to  serve  jury. 

State  vs.  William  Nelson.  For  passing  Counterfeit 
money.  John  Ritchey,  James  Elliott,  Robert  Gentry,  and 
Chris.  Cunningham  witness.  The  court  on  considering 
the  case  sent  him  on  to  the  Superior  Court  for  tryal. 

Ord.  that  James  Stuart  have  leave  to  build  a  grist 
mill  on  his  entry  land  on  Little  Limestone,  adjoining  the 
entry  land  of  David  Hughes,  and  the  same  to  be  a  pub- 
lic mill. 

James  English  vs.  Aron  Pinson.  Case.  Robert  Lusk, 
Henry  Nave,  Jacob  Brown,  John  Waddle,  Isaiah  Martin, 
Thos.  Talbert,  Joshua  Green,  Hugh  Henry,  Moses  Moore, 
Adam  Willson,  Henry  Massingill,  James  McAdams  sworn. 

The  suit  dis.  by  the  plaintiff. 


34  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Wm.  Nelson  Prin.  20,000  lbs.,  Robert  Sevier,  John 
Chisolm,  and  John  Waddle  his  security  in  the  sum  of 
10,000  lbs.  each.  Void  on  condition  the  Prin.  appear  at 
the  next  term  of  Superior  court. 

William  Cocke  vs.  Peter  McName.  Debt.  The  jury 
find  for  plaintiff  and  assess  damages  four  hundred 
pounds  and  six  pence  costs  from  which  judgement  the 
defdt.  appeals. 

Samuel  Weaver,  Jr.,  Prin.,  for  the  sum  of  10,000  lbs. 
Samuel  Weaver,  Sr.,  John  Bullard,  Joseph  Nation  are  his 
security  for  5,000  lbs.  each  on  condition  Sam  Weaver,  Jr., 
appear  at  the  next  Superior  court. 

Isam  Irby  given  bail  for  security  of  twenty  thousand 
pounds  with  two  security,  Peter  McName,  John  Ritchey, 
Benjamin  Inman  are  witness  for  McName. 

Wed.  24. 

Present  the  Worshipful  Thos.  Houghton,  And  Greer, 
Beni.  Gist,  John  McNabb,  Wm.  Clark  and  Zachariah  Is- 
bell. 

Ord.  that  Thomas  Brandon  be  sumd.  to  appear  at  the 
next  court  to  show  why  he  did  not  serve  as  constable  to 
Grand  jury. 

Valentine  Sevier  vs.  George  Dayley.  Debt.  A  jury 
to-wit:  Davis  Job,  Jas  Wray,  William  McAdoo,  Martin 
Maney,  Julius  Roberts,  Jacob  Brown,  Jonathan  Tipton, 
Samuel  Tate,  Robt.  Lusk,  John  Jones,  William  Cox,  Hosea 
Rose,  Sworn.  The  Jury  assess  two  hundred  pounds  dam- 
ages and  six  pence  costs. 

The  State  vs.  Mary  Greer.  Indictmt.  Capias  to  is- 
sue, defdt.  (Issued.) 

Thomas  Early  vs.  Thomas  Lott  and  Elza  Robertson. 
Debt.  The  jury  on  the  aforesaid  tryal — Dismst  by  plain- 
tiff. 

The  State  vs.  Samuel  Tate.  Indictment  true  bill  and 
defdt  gave  bail  for  appearance  next  court. 

State  vs.  William  McAdoo.  Indictment.  True  Bill 
Capias  to  issue  defdt — Issued. 

The  State  vs.  James  Delaney.  Indictment  Not  a  true 
Bill. 

Ord.  that  James  Roddy,  John  Diggons,  and  Rich- 
ard Willson  be  appointed  assessors  of  the  Roane  District, 
and  that  Andrew  Willson  be  appointed  constable  to  warn 
the  inhabitants,  and  Richard  White  be  appointed  to  re- 
ceive the  inventory  of  the  same. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  35 

Ord.  that  John  Shelby  esq.  be  appointed  to  receive 
the  inventorys  of  the  taxable  property  of  Captains  Mc- 
Nabb,  Val.  Sevier  company  that  Saml.  Culberson,  Robt. 
McFee,  Ralph  Humphreys  be  appointed  assessors  for  the 
same,  also  Eml.  Carter  be  appointed  constable  to  notify 
people. 

Ord.  that  George  Russell  esq.  be  appointed  to  re- 
ceive the  inventorys  of  the  taxable  property  of  Captain 
Been's  company,  and  that  Thomas  Hardiman,  John  Rus- 
sell, and  Arthur  Cobb  assess  the  same,  and  that  Bradley 
Gambrill  be  constable  to  notify  people. 

Ord.  that  Jesse  Walton  esq.  be  appointed  to  receive 
the  inventorys  of  the  Taxable  property  belonging  to  Cap- 
tain Brown,  William  Isbell  and  Patterson's  company,  that 
John  Nave,  Alexander  Moore,  William  Murphy  be  as- 
sessors, and  that  John  Bond  be  appointed  to  notify  people 

Ord.  that  Joseph  Willson  esq.  be  appointed  to  take 
the  inventorys  of  the  Taxable  property  within  the  com- 
panys  of  Trimble,  Willson,  Gest,  Stinson,  Davies,  that 
Samuel  Moore,  John  Alexander,  and  Adam  Willson  be 
the  assessors  and  that  Thomas  Brandon  be  the  constable 
to  notify  the  people. 

Ord.  that  the  inventory  of  the  estate  of  William 
Moore  now  be  given  in  to  the  Clerk  by  Jacob  Brown, 
Jonathan  Tipton  and  John  Woods  assessors,  should  be 
received,  and  that  the  Clerk  shall  give  instructions  to 
the  Sheriff  to  collect  to  the  amount  of  the  sum  that  shall 
be  found  to  be  Due  on  the  same  and  no  more. 

Elisha  Baulding  appeared  and  was  discharged  by 
proclamation. 

Valentine  Sevier  appointed  Sheriff  for  the  year. 

Valentine  Sevier,  Sheriff,  is  allowed  for  his  service 
for  the  year  of  1779  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds. 

John  Sevier,  Clerk,  is  allowed  for  his  service  for  the 
year  of  1779  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  pounds. 

The  State  vs.  John  Odull.  Indictment.  Not  a  true 
Bill. 

Samuel  Tate,  Prin.  in  the  sum  of  10,000  lbs.  Andrew 
Greer,  Joseph  Bullard,  his  security,  each  5,000  lbs.  for 
his  appearance  at  the  next  term  of  court. 

James  Milican  in  the  sum  of  5,000  lbs.  witness  for 
State  vs.  Tate.  Sub.  for  Sam  Tate,  Collering  Coleson, 
and  John  Grimes. 

Court  adjourned. 


36  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Thursday  the  25th. 

Present  the  Worshipful  Jesse  Walton,  Thomas 
Houghton,  James  Start,  John  McNabb,  Andrew  Greer. 

Ord.  that  Deds.  issue  to  the  county  of  Burke  to  take 
the  depo.  of  Charles  Wakefield  and  Mary  Inman  in  be- 
half of  Amos  Bird  in  a  suit  depending  with  Samuel  Sher- 
rill. 

Ord.  that  a  Ded.  issue  to  take  the  Depo.  of  Henry 
Francis  in  regard  to  a  suit  Samuel  Crawford  vs.  Samuel 
Williams. 

Ord.  that  a  Ded.  be  issue  to  the  county  of  Burke  to 
take  the  Depo.  of  Charles  Wakefield  in  behalf  of  Samuel 
Sherrill  in  a  suit  vs.  Amos  Bird. 

Ord.  that  John  B.  McMahon,  Joseph  Culberson,  Wil- 
liam Clark,  Jr.,  John  Clark,  Jr.,  Ebenezer  Byram  be  ap- 
pointed Constable. 

John  Odull  Prin  in  the  sum  of  1000  lbs.  Wm.  Cox, 
and  Julius  Robertson,  his  security  to  the  sum  of  500  lbs. 
each  for  his  appearance  at  next  term  of  court. 

Ord.  that  John  Sevier  be  appointed  Trustee  for  the 
county. 

Ord.  that  Jesse  Walton,  James  Start,  Thomas  Hough- 
ton, esqs.  be  and  is  appointed  to  settle  with  Sheriff  and 
Trustee  for  the  county  for  the  collections  for  the  years  of 
1778,  1779  and  make  a  report  to  next  court. 

August  Term.  (This  is  the  last  term  before  the 
King's  Mountain  battle.) 

Held  on  the  28th  day  of  August,  1780. 

Present  the  Worshipful  Jesse  Walton,  Thomas- 
Houghton,  John  McNabb,  Zachariah  Isbell,  esqs. 

Thomas  Hardiman,  William  Stone,  John  Russeli  as- 
sessors. Have  returned  their  inventory  of  the  taxable 
property  within  their  District,  and  the  same  is  received. 

Ord.  that  new  ord.  issue  to  the  assessors  of  Roan's 
creek  District,  appointing  the  same  as  before,  and  that 
they  make  a  return  at  our  next  court. 

Present  John  McNabb  and  Benjamin  Gist,  Esqs. 

Entry-taker  returns  a  bond  from  John  Bearden  unto- 
William  Campbell,  sd.  Bearden  caviting  100  acres  of 
Land  and  No.  2567,  and  it  is  ordered  that  order  is  for 
tryal  issue. 

Ralph  Humphrey,  Joshua  Houghton,  James  Roddy, 
Jon.    Tipton,    James    Stinson,    William    Tremble,    J®hn 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  37 

Wood,  James  Lackey,  Thomas  Hardeman,  Joseph  Greer, 
Abraham  Denton,  George  Gillaspy,  Adam  Willson,  Pha- 
roah  Cobb,  Jurymen  Sworn. 

Ord.  that  Deds.  issue  to  take  the  depo.  of  Ann  Mc- 
Adoo  on  behalf  of  Mary  Greer,  pltff.  vs.  William  McAdoo 
defdt. 

Edmund  Williams  and  Samuel  Lyle  sworn  and  ap- 
pointed to  attend  the  Grand  jury. 

Thomas  Jonachin  paid  9  dollars  for  the  recording 

his  mark. 

George  Dayley,  Prin.  to  the  sum  of  20,000  lbs.  and 
his  two  security  were  Joseph  Buller  and  John  Smith,  10,- 
000  lbs.  each  for  his  appearance  in  next  court. 

Moses  Johnson,  Prin.  20,000  lbs.  Jos.  England  and 
James  Crawford,  10,000  lbs.  each. 

Ord.  that  George  Dayly  be  entitled  to  take  and  re- 
ceive his  creatures  and  other  property  now  in  the  hands 
of  Alex  McFarling  and  Michl.  Carter,  the  said  George 
Dayley  having  entered  into  security  as  required  by  the 
court. 

Ord.  that  Moses  Johnson  be  entitled  to  take  and  re- 
ceive his  creatures  and  other  property  now  in  the  hands 
of  Hickey  sd  Moses  giving  bond  to  the  court. 

Ord.  that  a  fine  of  100  lbs  be  imposed  on  John  Chis- 
olm,  Esq.  for  being  guilty  of  striking  and  beating  Abra- 
ham Denton  in  the  court  yard.  Also  disquieting  the 
peace  and  decorum  of  the  Court,  and  that  the  Clerk  is- 
sue an  execution  for  the  same. 

State  vs.  John  Redding.  For  speaking  word  treas- 
onable and  inimical  to  the  common  cause  of  liberty.  Sam- 
uel Matthews  witness  for  the  State.  The  Defdt.  pleads 
not  guilty  at  his  tryal.  The  court  hearing  the  facts  of  the 
case,  decides  he  give  bond  for  the  next  term  of  Court. 
John  Redding  Prin.  for  the  sum  20,000  lbs.,  and  John 
Bullar  and  John  Clark,  each  10,000  lbs.  security  for  his 
appearance. 

Ord.  that  John  Been,  Benjam.  Cobb,  and  George 
Russell  review  a  way  for  a  road  from  Chaots  Ford  on  the 
Holston  to  the  Cherokee  Ford,  or  elsewhere  on  the  Big 
Limestone,  and  make  a  report  to  our  next. 

State  vs.  James  Delaney.    Stealing  Sheep — True  Bill 

State  vs.  John  Redding.     Treason — True  Bill. 


SS  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Ord.  that  Abraham  Denton  be  allowed  to  build  a 
grist  mill  on  Sinking  Creek  on  his  own  land,  and  he  shall 
be  entitled  to  toll  allowed  for  public  mill. 

Ord.  that  Isaac  Lane  be  appointed  constable. 

Ord.  that  of  John  Francis  and  Marry  Carr 

on  behalf  of  Walter  Carr  pltff.  vs.   Hezekiah   Chaney, 
defdt. 

State  vs.  John  Shelby.  Indict  Manslaughter.  True 
Bill. 

The  Court  taking  the  same  under  consideration  and 
duly  considering  the  same  in  the  most  mature  and  delib- 
erate manner  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  defendant  John 
Shelby,  be  acquitted. 

Wednesday. 

John  Russell  made  oath  that  he  served  four  days  in 
assessing  the  taxable  property  in  the  District  he  was  ap- 
pointed.    He  was  allowed  sixty  dollars  pr.  day. 

Robert  Sevier  vs.  Thomas  Morrison.    Attachment. 

The  court  having  taken  under  consideration  the  ap- 
pointment of  Comissioners  for  the  county,  to  be  Judges 
of  the  different  kinds  of  paper  emissions  in  circulating 
in  this  county,  or  may  be  hereafter  agreeabled  to  an  act  of 
Assembly  in  that  case  made  and  provided  in  order  to 
prevent  frauds  and  imposition  that  may  be  committed  in 
said  county,  and  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  and  sup- 
pressing Vices  of  this  kind,  have  appointed  John  Sevier, 
William  Cobb,  Thomas  Houghton,  and  Andrew  Greer, 
Esqs.  to  be  the  Judges  of  all  such  monies  and  have  ac- 
cordingly taken  an  oath  for  the  performance  of  said 
trust. 

State  vs.  Emanl  Carter.  For  failing  to  serve  as  con- 
stable. 

Ordered  that  Isaac  Taylor,  son  of  Andrew,  be  ap- 
pointed constable.     Court  adjourned  till  Court  in  course. 

Thos.  Houghton 
William  Cobb 
Charles  Robertson 
Andrew  Greer 

The  next  term  of  court  was  November  17,  1780, 
about  six  weeks  after  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain. 

In  the  expedition  to  King's  Mountain,  the  soldiers 
under  Sevier  were  taken  from  Washington  county,  North 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  Sfr 

Carolina,  those  under  William  Campbell  from  Washing- 
ton county,  Virginia,  Shelby  getting  the  greater  part  of 
his  from  Sullivan  county.  There  were,  of  course,  many 
from  other  places,  but  the  larger  number  came  from  the 
localities  mentioned. 

The  records  of  the  November  term  show  how  the 
personnel  of  the  settlements  on  the  Tennessee  side  was 
already  changing  by  the  coming  hither  of  King's  Moun- 
tain men  from  other  places.  Among  the  names  which 
now  appear  are  those  of  Charles  and  Robert  Allison,  John 
Newman,  John  Trimble,  Jacob  and  David  Reynolds,  Rob- 
ert Blackburn,  and  Samuel  and  John  Wear. 

Watauga  Old  Fields  is  what  is  now  Elizabethton  in 
Carter  county,  Tennessee.  It  was  an  Indian  village  when 
Andrew  Greer,  a  hunter,  first  came  here.  There  is  an  old 
cemetery  where  it  is  thought  Indians  were  buried.  John 
Carter  settled  a  half-mile  above  the  town,  and  the  place 
is  still  in  the  family.  Three  miles  above  is  the  grant  to 
John  Nave,  likewise  still  owned  by  his  descendants.  The 
same  fact  is  true  in  many  other  instances.  Charles  Rob- 
ertson, so  prominent  in  the  early  records,  lived  on  Sinking 
Creek.  The  mill  that  Baptist  McNabb  built  on  Buffalo 
Creek  was  the  first  in  the  settlement,  Matthew  Talbert 
building  the  second.  Valentine  Sevier  lived  in  Watauga 
Old  Fields,  but  his  son  John  lived  in  the  Jacob  Brown  set- 
tlement on  the  Nollichucky.  This  extended  below  the 
mouth  of  Big  Limestone,  and  was  the  farthest  of  the  fron- 
tier bases.  There  were  forts  at  Brown's  and  Eaton's  sta- 
tions, in  the  fork  of  the  North  Branch  of  the  Holston,  on 
Beaver  two  miles  from  the  Virginia  line,  and  at  Wo- 
mack's  and  Gillespie's  stations.  John  Shelby  also  had  a 
fort.  Out  of  these  defenses  came  the  men  who  united  with 
the  militia  from  Washington  county,  Virginia,  and  fought 
the  Cherokees  at  Island  Flat  in  1776. 

Jonesboro  is  the  oldest  town  in  Tennessee,  although 
it  was  a  county  seat  when  Washington  was  formed  in 
1779.  As  originally  laid  out,  Washington  began  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Wilkes  county,  the  line  following  the 
Great  Iron  Mountain  to  the  hunting  grounds  of  the  over- 
hill  Cherokees,  then  along  the  Unaka  Range  to  where 
the  trading  path  crosses  from  the  Valleys  of  the  over-hill 
country,  then  to  the  line  of  South  Carolina,  then  due  west 
to  the  Mississippi,  then  up  that  river  to  a  point  due  west 
from  the  starting  point. 

Sullivan  county  was  taken  from  Washington  in  1780. 
The  first  court  met  in  the  house  of  Moses  Looney,  a  King's 


40  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Mountain  man,  and  all  the  justices  were  his  comrades. 
They  were  Isaac  Shelby,  David  Looney,  William  Christie, 
John  Dunham,  William  Wallace,  Samuel  Smith,  John 
Rhea,  the  clerk,  Nathaniel  Clark,  the  sheriff,  and  John 
Adair,  the  entry-taker  who  let  Shelby  and  Sevier  have 
the  state's  money  to  finance  the  expedition. 

At  court  begun  and  held  in  the  court  house  on  the 
17th  day  of  November  1780.  Present,  Worshipful  Char- 
les Robertson,  Chairman,  William  McNabb,  John  Mc- 
Nabb,  Thomas  Houghton,  Jessie  Walton,  and  Benjamin 
Gist,  Esqs. 

Josias  Martin  came  into  court  and  made  oath  that 
the  ear  mark  of  his  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs  is  a  smooth 
crop  in  the  left  ear,  and  in  the  right  ear  a  half  crop,  and 
the  tail  cropt  off  the  hogs,  and  the  same  is  ordered  to 
be  recorded. 

Joseph  Wilson  being  summoned  as  Garnishee  of 
James  Robertson  by  Martin  Maney  declares  on  oath  that 
he  has  one  hundred  dollars  and  ninety  dollars  in  his 
hands  and  judgement  is  given  against  the  Garnishee  for 
the  same. 

A  power  of  attorney  from  Wrn.  McBride  to  Robert 
Wilson  investigating  him  with  certain  lands,  &c,  is  prov- 
ed by  the  oath  of  Joseph  Wilson,  Esq.  and  the  same  to  be 
recorded. 

Charles  Allison,  John  Newman,  Robert  Allison,  and 
Daniel  Kennedy  took  the  oath  appointed  by  law  for  Jus- 
tice of  Peace,  and  took  their  seats  accordingly. 

The  muncupative  will  of  John  Bullard,  Deed.  Duly 
proven  by  the  oaths  of  Joseph  Nation,  Elinor  Nation,  and 
Anne  Bullar,  and  the  same  is  ordered  to  be  recorded. 
Court  adjourned  until  tomorrow  at  nine  o'clock. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present,  John  Carter,  Chairman;  Chas.  Robertson, 
Benj.  Gist,  Wm.  McNabb,  Thos.  H.  Houghton,  Jos.  Will- 
son,  Chas.  Allison,  Godfrey  Isbell,  Daniel  Kennedy  and 
Rich.  White,  Esqs. 

The  list  of  Taxables  for  the  Roane  District  is  retd. 
by  Richd.  White  Esq.,  and  is  reed  by  the  Court. 

The  Court  ordered  that  Mrs.  Hannah  Millican  do 
receive  forty  bushels  of  corn  that  was  the  property, of 
Philip  Shelby,  being  corn  due  to  James  Millican  Deed, 
from  sd.  Shelby  for  serving  as  substitute  in  behalf  'of 
Shelby. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  41 

Wm.  Murphy,  John  Nave,  and  Alex  Moore  Assessors 
made  their  return  and  is  reed  by  the  Court. 

Wm.  Murphy  and  John  Nave  made  oath  that  they 
served  five  days  assessing  and  is  allowed. 

Joseph  England,  Prin 10,000  pounds 

Jas.  Stinson,  Sectv., 5,000  pounds 

Jas.  Carr,  Sectv., 5,000  pounds 

On  condition  the  principal  be  of  good  behavior  and 
malie  his  personal  appearance  at  the  next  term  of  our 
Court. 

George  Dayley,  and  Joseph  Bullar,  Jos.  England, 
James  Crawford,  and  John  Smith  his  security  is  Discharg- 
ed from  their  recognizance  entered  into  last  Court. 

Moses  Johnstone,  and  Joseph  Bullar,  Jos.  England, 
Jas.  Crawford  and  John  Smith  his  security  is  discharged 
from  their  recognizance  entered  into  last  court. 

Joseph  Keeny,  Prin., 40,000  pounds 

Joseph  Bullar,  Joseph  Dunham,  Sectv.  20,000  pounds 
each.    On  condition  principal  appear  in  next  Court. 

James  Gibson,  in  the  sum  of  5,000  pounds. 
Jesse  Green,  in  the  sum  of  5,000  pounds. 
Jas.  Robertson,  in  the  sum  of  5,000  pounds. 
Wm.  Greer,  5,000. 

On  condition  they  appear  at  next  court  to  give  testi- 
mony vs.  Joseph  Keeny.  Court  adjourned  to  meet  tomor- 
row morning  at  nine  o'clock. 

Wednesday  morning  met. 

Present,  Jesse  Walton,  Wm.  McNabb,  Charles  Rob- 
ertson, Thos.  Houghton  and  James  Stuart  Esqs. 

State  vs.  Jas.  Ray.  Recognizance  for  being  inimical 
to  the  State. 

Joseph  Carter  witness  for  the  State,  (sworn)  Chas. 
England  witness  for  Defdt.  (Sworn.) 

The  Court  order  defendant  to  enter  recognizance  for 
his  appearance  in  next  court. 

Jas.  Ray,  Prin 20,000  pounds 


42  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Wm.  Cox,  James secty.  each  10,000. 

On  condition  the  principal  be  of  good  behavior  and 
make  his  personal  appearance  at  next  Court. 

Samuel  Tate,  Prin 10,000 

Jos.  Bullard,  Drury  Goodin,  Sectys,  each  5,000. 

On  condition  Prin.  makes  his  appearance  at  court. 

The  State  vs.  Humphrey  Gibson,  on  Recog.  for  being 
inimical  to  the  State,  &cc. 

James  Ray  witness  for  the  State  sworn. 

Court  order  Defdt  to  enter  to  recog.  for  his  appear- 
ance next  Court. 

Humphry   Gibson,    prin 20,000 

Jos.  Dunham,  Jos.  Bullard  each,  10,000  lb. 

Condition  Prin.  appear  at  next  term  of  court. 

Joseph  Bullard  and  his  security  Joseph  Brown  is  re- 
leased from  the  Recognizance  entered  into  before  Chas. 
Robertson  for  Joseph  Bullar  appearance. 

Ord.  that  the  Commissioners  advertize  and  sell  the 
properties  of  James  Crawford  and  Thomas  Barker,  the  sd 
Crawford  and  Barker  being  found  and  taken  in  arms 
against  the  State.  (They  were  going  to  hang  Crawford 
and  Barker  right  after  the  King's  Mountain  battle,  but 
Colonel  Sevier  interceded  for  them  and  saved  them.) 

Adjourn  Court  until  tomorrow  at  nine  o'clock. 

Court  met.  Present,  Thos.  Houghton,  Jesse  Walton, 
Wm.  McNabb,  Esqs. 

Luke  Bowyer  vs.  John  Shelby  in  debt. 

John  Shelby,  Edward  Sweeton,  Judgmt.  according 
to  specialty  &  costs. 

Philip  Connoway  vs.  Godfrey  Isbell  attachmt.  The 
sheriff  returned  that  the  same  is  levied  on  a  parcel  of 
corn  in  the  hands  of  Wm.  Hatcher.  Judgmt.  for  lb.  4,000 
and  courts  order  of  sale.  The  pltff.  agreed  to  take  the 
corn  and  allow  give  to  the  judgmt.  for  same. 

Wm.  Cannon  vs.  Wm.  Murphy,  Jr.,  on  attachmt.  The 
sheriff  return  the  same  levied  on  a  rifle  gun, — ordered  to 
be  dismist. 

Robert  Blackburn  vs.  George  Hamilton,  attachmt. 
Dismist  for  want  of  prosecution. 

John  Trimble  vs.  Geo.  Hamilton,  attachmt.  Dismist 
for  want  of  prosecution. 

The  Court  have  elected  Cleavers  Barksdale  high 
Sheriff  for  the  year  of  1780. 

Ord.  that  John  Holley  go  and  take  away  a  bay  horse 
with  a  star  on  his  face  being  the  sd.  Holly's  property- 
taken  away  from  him  by  a  certain  Thomas  Mitchell. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  4a 

Ordered  that  Cap.  John  Paterson  deliver  unto  John 
Holly  a  certain  rifle  gun  the  property  of  John  Holly. 
(This  Holly  was  a  Royalist,  and  the  whigs  were  confiscat- 
ing his  property,  but  the  Court  stood  by  him  until  they 
decided  the  justice  of  the  case.) 

John  Black  have  leave  of  Administration  on  the  es- 
tate of  Michael  Mahoney  deed.  (Michael  Mahoney  was 
one  of  Sevier's  soldiers  killed  in  the  King's  Mountain 
battle.) 

John  Black,  Prin 10,000  lb. 

Charles  Robertson,  Richd.  Minton  security  each,  5,- 
000.  Reed  23  dolls.  On  condition  that  John  Black  make 
a  faithful  administration  on  the  estate  of  Michael  Ma- 
honey. 

Court  order  Joab  Reynolds,  Joseph  Lovelady  do  have 
their  arms,  ammunition,  &cc,  delivered  to  them  again 
which  was  taken  by  Captain  Nathaniel  Davis.  Rey- 
nolds pays  8  dollars  (first  time  dollars  appear) 

Ordered  by  the  Court  that  Joseph  Keena  be  entitled 
to  take  and  receive  his  property  taken  by  James  Gibson, 
&cc. 

Ordered  that  James  Boilstone  have  his  mare  return- 
ed that  was  taken  by  Cap.  Patterson. 

Cleavers  Barksdale  have  entered  himself  with 
Charles  Robertson  &  Jesse  Walton,  his  securitys,  in  the 
sum  of  thirty  thousand  pounds  for  his  faithful  discharge 
of  his  office  as  high  Sheriff  for  this  county  for  the  year 
of  1780. 

John  Sevier  entered  himself  with  Charles  Robertson 
in  the  sum  of  five  thousand  pounds  for  his  faithful  per- 
formance as  Trustee  for  the  year  of  1780. 

John  Chisolm,  Esq.  took  the  oath  of  deputy  surveyor 
under  James  Stuart,  Esq.  (Chisolm  was  a  soldier  of  for- 
tune, was  in  King's  Mountain,  and  the  one  that  really 
caused  Governor  Blount's  impeachment.) 

Court  adjourned  until  Court  in  course. 
Thomas  Houghton 
Jno.  McNabb 
Benj.  Gist 
Wm.  McNabb 
James  Stuart 
Jno.  Chisolm 

February  Term,  1781 

At  a  court  begun  and  held  at  the  Court  House  on 
Monday  26th  day  of  Feb.  1781.    Present  the  Worshipful 


44  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Chas.  Robertson,  Thos.  Houghton,  Jno.  McNabb,  Jos. 
Wilson,  George  Russell  &  Robert  Allison,  Esqs. 

Ordered  by  the  court  all  those  who  gave  and  entered 
into  recognizance  last  Court  be  recognized  until  next 
Court. 

A  bill  of  sale  from  Sarah  Resinor  to  Robt.  Paris  for 
a  black  mare  and  some  other  creatures,  both  horses  and 
cattle  as  therein  mentioned  was  duly  acknowledged  by 
sd.  Sarah  Risinor  and  is  ordered  to  be  recorded. 

Daniel  Higdon  came  into  Court  and  proved  himself 
by  the  oaths  of  several  credible  witnesses,  also  by  the 
certificates  of  sundry  gentlemen  that  the  sd  Daniel  Hig- 
don is  a  zealous  and  good  friend  to  his  country,  and  that 
the  court  do  earnestly  recommend  it  unto  Mr.  James 
Roddy  to  deliver  unto  the  sd.  Daniel  Higdon  a  certain 
negro  man  named  James  which  he,  the  sd  Roddy's  com- 
pany took  from  Henry  Grimes,  proviso  that  sd  Higdon 
do  well  and  truly  prove  his  property  of  sd  slave. 

Rebecca  Lowery,  Prin. 15,000  lbs. 

Saml  &  Jno.  Wier,  Security  7,000 

Void  on  condition  Rebecca  Lowery  do  make  a  lawful  ad- 
ministrative on  the  estate  of  Robert  Lowery. 

John  Trimble  vs.  Geo.  Hamilton,  Attachmt. 

James  Grimes  being  summoned  as  Garnishee  de- 
clares on  oath  that  there  is  several  things  in  his  house 
which  was  attached  by  Jos.  Pearson,  a  deputed  constable, 
and  returns  made  to  this  court,  which  effects  are  ordered 
to  be  sold,  to  first  discharge  sd.  James  Grimes'  debt  to 
the  sum  of  802  pounds  and  cost;  if  any  over  plus  to  be 
subject  to  the  discharge  of  John  Trimble's  debt  being  the 
sum  of  1600  pounds  and  cost. 

Robert  Blackburn  vs.  John  Allison,  Attachment  dis- 
missed. 

John  Allison  vs.  Francis  Baker,  Stealing  corn.  The 
court  on  hearing  the  testimony  of  the  witness  and  con- 
sidering the  facts  are  of  the  opinion  that  defdt  receive 
five  lashes  on  his  bair  back. 

Hannah  Milican  have  leave  of  administration  on  the 
estate  of  James  Milican. 

Hannah  Milican,  Prin 10,000  pounds 

Jno.  Lyle  &  Jno.  McNabb,  security  5,000  pounds 
each.  Void  on  condition  Hannah  make  a  lawful  adminis- 
tration on  the  estate  of  James  Milican. 

James  Stuart  vs.  John  Highes,  attachmt.  Judgmt 
by  Default  and  order  of  sale. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  45 

Memo,  that  Wm.  Ritche  gave  his  list  of  taxable  prop- 
erty 150  acres  of  land  which  sd  land  is  given  in  by  James 
Stuart,  and  it  is  ordered  that  the  clerk  do  not  charge 
Ritche  with  the  same. 

Court  adjourned  until  9  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Tuesday  morning  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Edward  Smith   appeared  this  day  and  is  released 

from  his  recognizance  for  his  appearance  to  this  session. 

Jos.  England,  Prin 10,000  lbs. 

James  Carr  and  John  Burrows 5,000  lbs  each 

To  appear  in  August  Court. 

On  condition  principal  appear  the  next  court  &c. 

Jos  Keena,  Prin 40,000  lb. 

Jesse  Walton  &  security  each  20,000 

Jas.  Ray,  Prin 20,000 

Jas.  Carr  &  Wm.  Cox  each 10,000 

Samuel  Tate,  Prin 10,000 

security  each 5,000 

Void  on  condition  prin.  appear  at  next  court. 

Ordered  that  Matthews  Paramore  be  appointed 
Overseer  of  the  road  now  to  be  cut  out  from  the  Court 
House  to  the  branch  at  the  corner  of  Danl.  Harrison's 
fence. 

Chas.  Hays  to  be  Overseer  of  the  road  to  be  cut  out 
from  Danl.  Harrison's  to  John  Howard  on  Lick  creek. 

Ordered  that  the  property  taken  from  Mary  Dyckes 
be  restored  to  her  and  that  the  Commissioners  order  the 
same  to  be  given  up.  The  property  from  Ann  Hughes  to 
be  restored  to  her,  and  the  Commissioners  order  the  same 
be  given  up.  (Dyckes  was  the  Tory,  and  this  court  was 
not  going  to  let  his  wife  suffer  for  her  husband's  bad 
deeds  because  she  always  tried  to  do  the  right  way,  so 
the  court  fined  Jesse  Greer  one  hundred  pounds,  because 
he  refused  to  give  Mrs.  Dyckes  her  property  in  the  con- 
tempt of  Court  orders.) 

Nath.  Evans,  Prin 10,000 

Jas.  Allison  and  Jas.  Anderson  each 5,000 

on  condition  the  Prin.  appear  in  next  term  of  court. 

James  Gibson  being  brought  into  court  for  throw- 
ing out  speeches  against  the  Court,  to-wit,  saying  that 
the  Court  was  perjured  and  would  not  do  justice  and 
other  glaring  insults — The  court  on  considering  the  mat- 
ter are  of  opinion :  That  the  said  James  Gibson  is  guilty 
of  flagrant  breach  of  peace  and  for  the  same,  and  the 
glaring  and  daring  insults  offered  to  the  Court  do  order 


46  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

that  the  said  James  Gibson  be  fined  the  sum  of  fifteen 
thousand  pounds  and  be  kept  in  custody  till  the  same  be 
paid.  (This  trouble  began  in  1780  with  Gibson  being  too 
free  in  speech.  Those  days  you  could  not  "throw  out 
speeches"  against  any  part  of  the  Court.) 

Patrick  Murphy,  Prin lb.  10,000 

Charles  Robertson  &  Jesse  Walton  each  5,000 

Jas  Alliott,  Jas.  Anderson,  Nathl.  Evans  &  Wm.  Fain 
each  in  10,000  pounds  to  appear  and  give  testimony  vs. 
John  Holly  &c. 

Ord.  that  Sci.  facias  issue  to  summon  Elisha  Nelson, 
Drury  Woodin  &  Thos.  Brandon  to  show  cause,  if  any 
they  have,  why  judgement  shall  not  be  awarded  against 
them  towit,  for  two  thousand  pounds  against  Elisha  Nel- 
son and  one  thousand  each  against  Drury  Woodin  and 
Thos.  Brandon. 

Ordered  Joseph  Buller,  Alex.  Moore  &  James  Alli- 
son appointed  to  view  and  mark  a  road  from  the  court 
house  to  English's  mill  on  Horse  Creek  and  make  a  report 
at  next  term  of  Court.  Ordered  that  James  Allison  be 
appointed  overseer  of  the  road  from  the  Court  house  to 
the  Wattaugo  River. 

Ordered  that  Benjm.  Cobb  be  appointed  overseer  of 
the  road  from  the  Wattaugo  river  to  the  county  line. 

Court  adjourned  till  Court  in  course. 

Jesse  Walton 
Robt.  Allison 
Danl.  Kennedy 
John  Newman 
George  Russell 
Thos.  Houghton 
Joseph  Wilson 

May  Term,  1781 

At  court  begun  and  held  at  the  Court  House  the  28th 
of  May  1781,  present  the  Worshipful  Charles  Robertson, 
Jesse  Walton,  Jno.  McNabb,  Andrew  Greer,  Danl.  Ken- 
nedy &  Valentine  Sevier  Esqs. 

State  vs.  Davis  Hickky,  Misprision  of  Treason.  Wm. 
Henry,  Hugh  Henry,  Jas.  Milican  witness  for  the  State 
sworn.  The  court  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  defdt.  was 
guilty  of  a  flagrant  breach  of  the  peace  vs.  the  State  dec, 
and  do  fine  him  2500  pounds  and  give  security  for  his 
good  behavior  for  one  year  and  one  day. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  47 

Ord.  Sci  Facias  issue  vs.  Christopher  Cunningham 
and  Robert  Orr  to  show  cause  at  the  next  court  why  a 
conditional  judgment  of  five  thousand  pounds  each  shall 
not  be  confirmed  against  them  for  not  appearing  this 
court  according  to  their  recognizance  entered  in  before 
Jno.  McNabb  Esq. 

Ralph  Humphrey  came  into  court  and  took  the  oath 
of  Justice  of  peace,  and  took  seat  accordingly. 

A  bill  of  sale  from  Wm.  Cox  to  Thomas  Hardeman 
for  the  conveyance  and  delivery  of  a  certain  Negro  man 
slave  named  Jupiter  was  proven  by  the  oath  of  Wm.  Cox 
and  John  Chisolm  Esq.  and  the  same  is  ordered  to  be  re- 
corded.   Left  40  dollars  to  pay  fee. 

State  vs.  John  Boyd,  Misdemeanors.  The  court  on 
considering  the  matter  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  Dfdt. 
be  fined  two  thousand  pounds  and  imprisoned  for  the 
term  of  six  months  and  given  security  in  the  sum  of  forty 
thousand  pounds.  Witness  for  the  State,  Sworn  Martha 
Miller,  Mary  Baker,  Francis  Baker,  Jas.  Wyley,  Martha 
Miller,  Jr.,  Rich.  Mintom. 

The  last  Will  &  Testimony  of  John  Drewy  Chews 
was  duly  proven  by  the  oaths  of  Sarah  Calhoun,  Martha 
Parsons,  and  swear  they  also  see  John  Calhoun  and  Lu- 
crecy  Calhoun  signed  the  sd  will  as  Witness  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Testator  and  by  his  consent,  and  the  same  is 
ordered  to  be  recorded.  Also  the  above  will  declaring 
Margaret  Calhoun  and  Edward  Mitcheson  his  extras  and 
as  there  appears  that  the  sd  Executrix  who  was  left  in 
care  of  the  sd  estate  and  the  children  of  the  Testator  is 
in  necessity  and  want  of  said  estate  to  support  and  main- 
tain the  said  children  thereon.  The  court  order  that  Mar- 
garet Calhoun  one  of  the  executors  do  take  and  receive 
all  or  any  part  of  the  sd  John  Drury  Chews  estate  where- 
ever  the  same  may  be  found. 

John  Boyd,  Prin 20,000 

John  Allison  and  Davis  Stuart  each  5,000.  Void  on 
condition  that  John  Boyd  confine  and  keep  himself  on  his 
plantation  which  the  sd  Boyd  now  lives  upon  with  fam- 
ily for  the  term  and  time  of  six  months  from  this  date. 
(John  Boyd  had  a  young  family,  so  the  court  knew  he 
was  badly  needed  at  home.) 

The  last  will  and  Testament  of  Nathl.  Davis  Esq.  was 
duly  proven  by  the  oaths  of  Robert  Davis  and  Mary 
Davis  and  the  same  is  ordered  to  be  recorded.  Order- 
ed that  Danl.  Kennedy,  James  Willson  and  Joseph  Will- 


48  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

son,  Esq.,  appointed  to  appraise  the  estate  of  Robert  Low- 
ery  deed. 

Court  adjourned  till  tomorow  at  nine  o'clock. 

Mildred  Bond  gives  bond  to  administration  of  her 
husband's  estate,  Jesse  Walton  and  Cap.  Samuel  Williams 
security  to  forty  thousand  pounds.  Court  appoint  Ed- 
ward Rice,  Joseph  Reed  and  John  Woods  to  appraise  the 
estate. 

The  State  vs.  Joseph  Bullard,  warrant.  The  court 
order  that  Joseph  Bullard  give  security  for  his  good  be- 
havior for  twelve  months  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand 
pounds  with  two  securities,  five  thousand  pounds  each. 
John  Nave  and  John  Reding  securities.  Void  on  condi- 
tion Joseph  Bullard  peaceful  in  behavior  for  twelve 
months. 

The  State  vs.  John  Denton,  warrant.  Court  orders 
to  give  security  for  good  behavior  for  twelve  months  and 
give  security  in  the  sum  of  10,000  pounds  and  two  securi- 
ties in  the  sum  of  5,000  pounds  each.  Charles  Robertson 
and  James  Pearce  his  securities.  Void  if  the  Prin.  is 
peaceable  and  good  behavior  for  one  year. 

Ordered  that  Samuel  Tate  be  fined  the  sum  of  ten 
thousand  pounds  for  contempt  of  court  issue  Fi  Facious 
vs.  his  estate  for  the  same. 

Jas.  Ray,  prin 10,000 

Joseph  Bullard  and  Abram  Wood,  2,000  each. 

Ralph  Humphrey,  Robert  McAfee  and  Samuel  Cul- 
berson made  return  of  taxable  property  in  their  district, 
the  same  recorded. 

Ordered  Rich.  Minton  serve  as  constable  in  the  room 
of  John  B.  McMahon. 

The  State  vs.  Jesse  Green.  Warrant  for  stealing  a 
gun  from  Thomas  Brown.  Mary  Dunham,  Thos.  Brown, 
Jesse  Gentry,  witness  for  the  State  sworn.  Nath.  Evans 
for  the  pltff  sworn. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Court  that  the  defdt  is  not 
guilty  and  that  Thomas  Brown  prosecutor,  Thomas  Brown 
pay  the  cost. 

The  State  vs.  Pat.  Murphy,  stealing  a  bell.  Ordered 
to  appear  at  next  court. 

Patrick  Murphy,  Prin 10,000 

Charles  Robertson  and  Jos.  Bullard,  security  5,000 
each. 

Charles  West  was  duly  qualified  as  deputy  Surveyor 
of  this  county  under  James  Stuart. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  49 

Ordered  that  Jesse  Greer  be  fined  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  pounds  for  contempt  offered  the  court  in  refus- 
ing to  deliver  the  Widow  Dyckes  her  property  as  directed 
by  the  order  of  the  court. 

Ordered  that  a  grist  mill  now  already  built  by  Bar- 
tholew  Woods  be  considered  as  a  public  grist  mill  and 
that  the  sd  Woods  be  entitled  to  take  such  a  toll  and  have 
the  rights  and  immunities  as  other  public  grist  mills  with- 
in the  District. 

Cleavers  Barksdale  being  appointed  Sheriff  enters 
bond  for  his  faithful  discharge  of  sd  office  in  the  sum  of 
one  hundred  thousand  pounds  and  Charles  Robertson 
and  Edmund  Williams  fifty  thousand  each  as  security. 

Ordered  that  George  Bundy  &  Reuben  Bundy  or- 
phans of  Simon  Bundy  deed  be  bound  to  William  Wells, 
the  sd  Wells  entering  into  the  rules  and  forms  and  laws 
made  and  provided  in  that  case. 

Bradley  Gambell  made  oath  he  served  two  days  as 
constable  in  notifying  the  inhabitants  of  Wm.  Been's  Dis- 
trict. 

Elisha  Nelson,  Prin.   10,000. 

Bradley  Gambell  and  Robert  Campbell  securities 
5,000  each. 

Ord  that  the  Tavern  keepers  in  this  county  sell  at 
the  following  prices  to-wit,  viz : 

A  Dinner,  20  dol. 

Breakfast  or  supper,  15  dol. 

Corn  or  oats  pr.  gallon,  12  dol. 

Pasture,  6  dol. 

Stabledge  12  dol.  with  hay  or  fodder  lodging,  6  dol. 

W.  I.  Rum,  20  dol. 

Peach  Brandy,  80  dol. 

Whisky,  pr.  qrt.,  48  dol. 

Taffea  Rum,  100  dollars  pr  qt. 

Court  Adjourned. 

Wesday  30th  day. 

James  Eadens  vs.  Henry  Grimes,  attachment. 

Richard  Mitchell  an  orphan  the  son  of  Joab  Mitchell 
deed,  came  into  court  and  made  choice  of  Charles  Robert- 
son, Esq.,  as  his  guardian,  and  the  court  has  appointed 
him  his  guardian. 

John  Callahan  is  appointed  surveyor  of  that  part 
of  the  road  wherein  James  Allison  was  overseer  before, 
from  Samuel  Fain's  house  unto  John  Been's  Ford.  That 
the  Hands  still  continue  to  work  under  James  Allison,  to 
include  Robert  Allison  and  so  down  to  George  Russell's 


50  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

including  the  waters  of  Sinking  Creek  and  across  the  sd 
road  from  thence  four  miles  from  the  same  and  all  the 
inhabitants  within  the  upper  and  lower  end  of  the  sd  line 
extending  the  four  mile  out. 

Ordered  that  Chris.  Taylor  and  John  Sevier  be  ap- 
pointed to  view  and  mark  off  a  publick  road  from  the 
Court  house  to  John  Sevier's  mill. 

Ordered  that  a  publick  road  be  laid  from  the  court 
house  to  the  head  of  Indian  Creek,  and  that  Cap.  Vo. 
Sevier,  Thos.  Houghton,  Esq.,  Robert  Young,  Jr.,  and 
Jno.  McMahan  be  commissioners  to  lay  off  the  same  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  that  Andr.  Greer,  Esq.,  Joseph  Tip- 
ton, and  Cap.  Samuel  Williams  is  to  be  overseers  to  have 
the  same  cut  out  and  kept  in  repair  and  that  Cap.  Se- 
vier's company  and  Cap.  McNabb's  company  as  high  up 
as  McNabb's  mill,  and  Cap.  Saml.  Williams  company  ex- 
cept but  what  is  on  Little  Limestone  to  be  liable  to  work 
thereon. 

Ordered  that  Isaiah  Hamilton  be  surveyor  of  the 
road  from  the  court  house  to  John  Sevier's  Mill  and  that 
the  lands  on  the  south  side  Big  Limestone  as  far  up  as 
Robert  Allison,  Esq.  and  as  low  down  as  Charles  Allison's 
Esq.  and  from  thence  straight  across  including  all  the 
inhabitants  on  the  north  side  of  Cherokee  Creek  up  as 
far  as  George  Carrs  and  that  the  same  be  cut  imme- 
diately. 

Ordered  that  James  Allison  have  leave  to  keep  a 
tavern  at  the  Court  House  for  one  year  and  have  entered 
John  Sevier  and  Valentine  Sevier  as  securities  for  the 
same. 

Ordered  that  Isaiah  Hamilton  have  leave  to  keep 
Tavern  at  his  house  for  one  year  and  entered  Val.  Sevier 
and  James  Allison  as  his  securities. 

Ordered  that  Valentine  Sevier  be  payed  four  thou- 
sand for  being  sheriff  for  1780. 

Ordered  that  Richd.  Minton  have  leave  to  keep  a 
Tavern  at  the  Court  House  for  one  year  and  have  entered 
Jacob  Brown  and  Saml.  Williams  as  securities. 

Ord.  that  Joseph  Reed,  Wm.   Meek,  Isaac  Taylor, 

son  of  Andrew  Taylor, Wilson.  (Richard  White 

to  add  Christian  name)  and  William  Miller  do  serve  as 
constables. 

Justices  and  assessors  appointed  for  the  year  of 
1781: 

1st  District,  Richard  White,  Esq.,  Jas.  Roddy,  Jesse 
Hoskins,  Bowman. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  51 

2nd  District,  Thos.  Houghton,  Esq.,  William  Cox, 
James  Henry,  Andrew  Taylor. 

3rd  District,  Wm.  Cobb,  Esq.,  Thos.  Hardiman,  Thos. 
Jonchin,  Wm.  Cocke. 

4th  District,  Wm.  Clark,  Esq.,  Jno.  Woods,  Michl. 
Woods,  Jacob  Brown. 

5th  District,  Joseph  Willson,  Esq.,  Anthony  Moore, 
Robert  Wier,  Abraham  Hoskins.  And  that  the  1st  Dis- 
trict Andrew  Willson,  2nd  Isaac  Taylor  son  of  Andrew, 
3rd  Wm.  Frame,  4th  Wm.  Meek  &  Joseph  Bond,  5th 
William  Moore  and  Abraham  Hill  be  appointed  consta- 
bles to  notify  people. 

Ord.  that  Anderson  Smith  be  appointed  to  serve  as 
constable. 

Court  adjourned  till  court  in  course. 

Charles  Robertson 
Andw.  Greer 
Ralph  Humphrey 
Zach  Isbell 
Jess.  Walton 
Tho.  Houghton 

August  Term  1781 

Present  the  Worshipful  Chas.  Robertson,  Cha. ;  Thos. 
Houghton,  Danl.  Kennedy,  Charles  Allison,  Wm.  Mc- 
Nabb,  Benjm.  Gist,  Jos.  Willson,  Richard  White  and  John 
Newman,  Esq. 

Grand  Jurymen  present 

Edm.  Williams  Saml.  Williams 

Andrew  Taylor  Adam  Willson 

Martha  Berymore  Thos.  Hardimen 

Jas.  Roddy  Chris  Taylor 

Corne.  Bowman  Alexr  Galbreath 

Wm.  Murphy  John  Alexander 

Joshua  Houghton  Samuel  Wier 

Jacob  Brown  Moses  Moore 
Mich.  Woods 

Sworn — Order  to  appear  in  the  morning. 
Petit  Jurymen  present 

Robert  Erwin  Robert  Been 

David  McNabb  Charier,  Young 

Isaac  Taylor  Jesse  Bounds 

David  Lyle  James  Campbell 

Alexdr.  Anderson  Josiah  Martin 

Jonathan  Tipton  William  Bryant 


52  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Ord.  to  appear  in  the  morning  at  9  o'clock. 

Charles  (?)  to  administration  on  the  estate  of  Cris- 
topher  Cunningham  deed. 

A  bill  of  sale  of  a  slave  Jupiter  to  Cato  West  by 
Thomas  Hardeman  to  be  recorded. 

A  bill  of  sale  from  Michael  Massingill  to  Cato  West, 
a  negro  boy  named  John  eight  years  old,  to  be  recorded. 

Court  adjourned  till  tomorrow  morning  at  nine  o'- 
clock 

Tuesday  28th  May,  1781. 

Thomas  Talbot  is  appointed  commissioner  to  col- 
lect Tax  for  1780  and  1781. 

Thomas  Talbot  securities  Colo.  Ralph  Humphreys 
and  Cleavers  Barksdale. 

The  court  order  that  the  clerk  certify  to  the  General 
Assembly  Danl.  Dunn  is  an  infirm  man  an  object  of 
charity  and  they  recommend  that  he  may  be  discharged 
from  paying  public  taxes  for  the  county. 

Order  that  the  sheriff  forbear  collecting  a  fine  of 
ten  thousand  pounds  inflicted  upon  Samuel  Tate  the  last 
court. 

Thomas  Talbot  have  taken  the  oaths  appointed  for 
public  officers,  he  to  act  a  deputy  sheriff  under  C.  Barks- 
dale,  Esq. 

Wm.  Deal  vs.  Jeptha  Higson,  on  suspicion  of  stealing 
of  creatures  from  pltff.  Discharged  by  the  court,  fees 
payed. 

Mrs.  Frances  Lyle,  Jas.  Stuart  &  James  Houston 
have  leave  of  administration  on  the  estate  of  John  Lyle 
deed,  and  securities  are  Danl.  Kennedy,  Charles  Allison 
&  Jno.  McNabb. 

Geo.  Russell,  Esq.,  David  Robertson,  William  Alli- 
son, and  William  Young  is  appointed  to  view  and  mark 
a  road  from  Bartholm  Woods'  mill  to  John  Been's  and 
report  to  court. 

Charles  Robertson  have  leave  to  administration  on 
the  estate  of  Edward  Hampton. 

The  State  vs.  John  Hoskings  for  being  the  accessary 
to  the  death  of  James  Millican. 

John  Hoskings  give  security  for  the  sum  of  10,000 
pounds.     Cleve  Barksdale  and  Ruth  Hoskings  securities. 

Landon  Carter  has  leave  of  administration  on  the 
estate  of  Colonel  Carter  deed,  have  entered  Valentine  Se- 
vier, Thomas  Houghton,  and  Charles  Robertson  securities 
in  the  sum  of  five  hundred  thousand  pounds  for  his  faith- 
ful administration,  &cc. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  53 

The  State  vs.  James  .  Misdemeanor.     The 

court  ordered  dfdt  to  be  discharged. 

Ord  that  the  clerk  certify  to  the  county  court  of 
Frederick  in  commonwealth  of  Virginia  that  Wm.  Reeve 
is  a  man  of  peaceful  character  and  honest  behavior  and 
that  his  wife  Mary  Reeves  who  is  the  daughter  of  Peter 
Wolf  deed,  who  formerly  lived  in  the  county  of  Frederick 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  is  now  living. 

It  is  recommended  by  the  Court  that  David  McNabb 
and  others  who  have  the  negroes  or  any  of  them  belong- 
ing to  Mrs.  Maberry  in  there  possession  to  immediately 
give  them  up  to  her,  she  proving  her  property. 

Court  adjourned  till  tomorrow  morning  at  nine  Wed- 
nesday 29th. 

Memo,  to  summon  Robert  Paris,  Robert  Hood,  Wil- 
liam Storey  in  behalf  of  Durham  against  Green  Bashin 
and  Mitchell. 

The  State  vs.  Zachariah  Isbell.  Indictmt.  and  abus- 
ing Samuel  Crawford.    The  defdt  pleads  not  guilty. 

Zachariah  Isbell  prin  10,000  pounds 

Andrew  and  Jacob  Brown  secuty 5,000  each 

The  State  vs.  Patrick  Murphy.  Stealing  a  bell.  Defdt. 
pleads  not  guilty. 

A  jury  to  wit  John  Newman,  David  Lyle,  Jacob 
Brown,  Alexander  Anderson,  Robert  Been,  James  Alli- 
son, Thos.  Mitchell,  Jesse  Green,  Robert  Gentry  &  James 
Stinson  passed  on  the  tryal.  The  jury  find  the  defdt  not 
guilty. 

Charles  Robertson  conveyed  two  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  to  John  Odull  and  the  same  is  registered. 

James  Stuart  vs.  James  Crawford.     Inquiry. 

A  jury  to-wit  Matthew  Paramore,  Robert  Gentry, 
Thomas  Mitchell,  Benjm.  Inman,  Jesse  Green,  Alexander 
Anderson,  Charles  Gentry,  John  Nowland,  Adam  Porter, 
Joshua  Greer,  James  Gibson  passed  on  the  sd  tryal.  M. 
Paramore  Cha. 

We  of  the  jury  do  find  for  the  Defdt.  S.  McCay  at- 
torney for  the  pltfT.  prays  the  court  for  leave  to  offer 
reasons  for  an  arrest  of  Judgement. 

Court  adjourned  till  tomorrow  morning  at  8  o'clock, 
Friday,  31st. 

Ord.  by  the  court  the  sheriff  employ  some  workmen 
to  repair  the  house  the  court  is  held,  also  prepare  a  table 
for  the  Clerk,  a  kind  of  bar  for  the  attorneys,  and  some 
benches  for  the  jury  to  sit  on,  and  have  same  done  by 
next  term  of  Court. 


54  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Ord.  that  Thomas  Hall  give  security  for  his  good 
behavior  for  the  term  of  one  year  in  the  sum  of  ten  thou- 
sand pounds  and  two  securities  of  five  thousand  each. 
Nicholas  Mercer  &  Forester  Mercer  went  his  securities. 

Elisha  Nelson,  case  at  last  court — the  court  orders 
the  plantff  to  be  discharged.     (My  fee  paid.) 

The  Court  adjourned  till  Court  in  course. 

February  1782 
25th  February. 

Present  the  Worshipful  Thomas  Houghton,  Charles 
Robertson,  William  McNabb,  Jesse  Walton,  and  William 
Cobb,  Esqs. 

Ord.  that  an  orphan  child  named  Betsy  Williams, 
the  daughter  of  Mary  Williams  now  Mary  Newberry  be 
bound  unto  Edward  Higgons  until  sd.  orphan  comes  to 
the  age  of  eighteen.     Bound  and  payed  the  fees. 

Court  adjourned. 

Thursday  26th.  William  Cocke  produced  a  license 
and  taken  the  usual  oaths  and  is  permitted  to  plead  and 
practice  in  this  court. 

John  Holmes  to  Robert  Carver  160  acres  of  land, 
proven  by  the  oath  of  John  Woods  and  the  same  re- 
corded. 

Pursuant  to  a  return  and  directions  from  James  Glas- 
gow, esq.,  Secretary  of  State  we  the  Justices  do  hereby 
order  and  direct  the  clerk  to  issue  his  orders  for  the  tryal 
of  the  undermentioned  disputed  Lands  the  titles  of  which 
have  been  suspended  by  the  Honorable  Alexander  Martin, 
Esq.,  Governor  for  the  time  being  between  the  following 
parties  to-wit: 

John  Robertson  vs.  Peter  McName.  For  300  acres 
of  land  on  the  waters  of  Big  Limestone. 

John  Long  vs.  William  Cobb,  Pharoah  Cobb,  Benja- 
min Cobb.  For  a  certain  tract  of  land  on  the  waters  of 
Knob  Creek  in  the  Watagua  settlement. 

John  English  vs.  William  Walker.  For  200  acres  of 
land  on  the  Falling  Branch  of  Horse  Creek,  and  on  both 
sides  of  Christy  Ware's  Path. 

Thomas  Hardeman  4  vs.  William  Been,  Sr.  For  part 
of  tract  of  land  on  Sinking  Creek  included  in  Timothy 
Peningtons  improvements. 

Andrew  English  5  vs.  George  Martin.  For  300  acres 
of  land  on  Lick  Creek. 

Joseph  Young  6  vs.  William  Gray.  For  640  acres 
of  land  on  Brush  Creek  joining  Jonas  Little's  line  and 
William  Gray's  claim. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  55 

George  Vincent  7  vs.  John  Chinn,  John  Hill.  For  150 
acres  on  waters  of  Boon's  Creek  Entry  and  warrant  No. 
759. 

Thomas  Brandon  8  vs.  William  Magbee.  For  400 
acres  on  Lick  Creek. 

Thomas  Hardeman  9  vs.  Jacob  Lyte.  For  part  of 
tract  of  land  on  Sinking  Creek  purchased  of  Timothy 
Penington. 

Thomas  Hughes  10  vs.  William  Thomas.  For  part  of 
a  tract  in  the  forks  of  the  Watagua  &  Holston  rivers  the 
west  side  of  Lick  Creek. 

William  Parker  vs.  John  Carter.  For  the  tract  of 
land  called  Watagua  Old  Field. 

John  English  vs.  William  Magbee.  For  200  acres 
of  land  on  Falling  Branch  of  Horse  Creek  and  on  both 
sides  of  Christy's  War  Path. 

John  Blair  McMahon  vs  Aron  Lewis.  For  part  of 
tract  of  land  lying  on  the  head  &  including  the  spring 
of  S.  E.  Fork  of  Boon's  creek. 

Robert  Young  vs.  Benjamin  Cobb.  For  tract  of  land 
on  Knob  Creek. 

John  McMahon  vs.  Benjam.  Cobb.  For  entry  made 
by  Mr.  Cobb  in  the  case  of  Benj.  A.  Cobb  joining  a  sur- 
vey made  by  Cobb  on  branch  of  Nob  Creek  including  the 
Blue  Spring. 

George  Russell  vs.  Richard  Caswell,  Esq.  For  a  part 
of  a  tract  of  land  on  the  east  fork  of  Big  Limestone. 

John  Gilliland  vs.  John  Shirley.  For  a  tract  of  land 
on  Cherokee  Creek  improved  by  J.  Gilliland  1773. 

George  Barkley  vs.  John  Fair.  For  200  acres  of  land 
on  the  waters  of  little  Limestone  joining  land  of  Col. 
Campbell  and  James  Stephenson  running  up  to  the  land 
of  Samuel  Fain  and  James  Miller. 

John  Talley  in  behalf  of  the  orphans  of  Martha 
Haire  deed.  vs.  Robert  Lucas.  For  300  acres  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Holston  river  at  Jones  fall. 

John  Nolan  vs.  Abner  Green.  For  250  acres  of  land 
in  the  Fork  of  Watagua  and  Holston  rivers.  We  do  there- 
fore direct  that  the  same  be  admitted  to  tryal  by  court. 

The  court  appointed  Cap  Samuel  Williams  guardian 
to  the  orphans  of  John  Basset  deed. 

On  motion  of  Wm.  Cocke  that  three  negroes  now  in 
the  possession  of  the  Sheriff  who  by  the  information  of 
Colonel  Williamson  belongs  to  a  certain  Isaac  Perry  of 
the  State  of  Georgia  and  that  on  the  aforesaid  William- 
son proving  said  negroes  to  be  said  Perry's  that,  they 


56  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

be  given  up  to  Colonel  Williamson  who  is  to  return  them 
to  their  proper  owner.  The  court  considering  the  same 
therefore  direct  the  Sheriff  to  deliver  to  the  said  Col.  Wil- 
liamson the  aforesaid  negroes  on  his  paying  the  cost. 

The  State  vs.  William  Magbee.  Record  for  stealing 
a  horse,  the  property  of  James  Dunham.  Joseph  Dunbar, 
Robert  Been  witness  for  the  State  (sworn).  The  court 
on  considering  the  matter  Dismiss  the  Defendant  with 
him  paying  the  cost. 

An  inventory  of  the  estate  of  John  Carter  deceased 
is  returned  by  Susan  Carter  adm.  and  the  same  is  ordered 
to  be  filed. 

A  bill  of  sale  for  a  mare  from  John  Butler  to  Joseph 
Bullard,  same  record. 

The  court  appointed  Thomas  Houghton  and  Wil- 
liam McNabb  to  settle  with  the  Sheriff,  and  make  returns 
to  court. 

Ord.  that  a  deds  potestatem  issue  to  take  the  Depo. 
of  Ezekiel  Smith,  Joh'n  Drake,  Richard  Fields,  Benjam. 
Drake,  Henry  Hickky  on  behalf  of  Wm.  Parker  on  a 
Caveat  vs.  John  Carter  on  a  tract  of  land  disputed  with 
Wm.  Parker  called  Wattauga  Old  Fields. 

Ord.  that  a  deds  potestatem  issue  to  take  Depo. 
of  Robert  Cooper,  Samuel  Wilson,  and  Emanl.  Carter  in 
behalf  of  Landon  Carter  admr.  of  the  estate  of  John  Car- 
ter Deed,  in  a  disputed  claim  of  land  with  Wm.  Parker 
called  Watagua  Old  Field. 

An  indenture  from  George  King  and  Margaret  King, 
Binding  an  orphan  child  named  Robert  Maccashlin  to 
James  Allison  is  to  be  recorded. 

A  deposition  of  McCajah  Williamson  proving  a  cer- 
tain negro  wench  now  in  possession  of  Mark  Mitchell 
was  made  lawful  prize  &c  by  the  legislature  of  Georgia 
was  proven  by  Jesse  Walton  Esq.  and  is  ordered  to  be 
recorded. 

John  Woods,  Michael  Woods,  &  Jacob  Brown  as- 
sessors for  the  year  of  1781. 

An  inventory  of  the  estate  of  John  Lyles  deed  is  receiv- 
ed and  recorded. 

Joseph  McPeters,  prin 50  pounds 

Asael  Rawlings,  William  Snoddy  securities  in  the 
sum  of  25  pounds. 

James  Boilstone  being  brought  before  the  Court  for 
being  inimical  to  the  United  States,  &cc. 

The  Court  considering  the  matter  and  hearing  the 
evidence  against  him  order  the  said  Boilstone  be  confined 
in  Goal  until  next  court,  and  that  the  Sheriff  take  suffi- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  57 

cient  care  of  the  prisoner.  Jordon  Roach  and  James  Ragin 
in  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  each  they  appear  the 
next  superior  Court  at  Salisbury  to  give  testimony  vs. 
James  Boilstone. 

Court  adjourned  till  tomorrow  8  o'clock. 

February  Term,  1782 

At  a  court  begun  and  held  at  the  Court  House,  on 
Monday  the  26th  of  February  1782.  Present  the  Wor- 
shipful Charles  Robertson,  Thos.  Houghton,  Jno.  McNabb 
Jos.  Wilson,  George  Russell  &  Rob.  Allison,  Esq. 

Ord.  by  the  Court  that  all  those  who  gave  and  en- 
tered into  recognizance  last  Court  be  recognized  until 
next  Court. 

Thomas  Hardeman,  William  Cox,  and  Thomas  Jon- 
achin  have  made  their  return  of  the  assessments  within 
their  Districts  for  the  year  of  1781,  and  is  reed,  by  the 
court. 

Court  order  the  Sheriff  to  take  John  Odull  into  his 
charge,  and  him  safely  keep  until  he  give  sufficient  se- 
curity to  the  Court  for  his  appearance  in  the  next  term  of 
court. 

The  court  have  permitted  John  Sevier  to  render  to 
the  assessors  of  the  District  wherein  he  lives  the  Inven- 
tory of  his  taxable  property  for  the  years  of  1780  &  1781. 

The  State  vs.  John  Chambers.  Misdemeanor.  Wit- 
ness for  the  State  Elez.  Bennett,  Rebecca  Wyal,  John 
Reeves,  Thos.  Brumit,  Wm.  Meeks. 

The  Court  on  considering  the  facts  alleged  vs  the 
defendt  order  he  be  bound  in  Recognizance  to  appear  at 
next  Court.  John  Chambers,  Prin.  in  100  lb.  specia. 
George  Barkly,  Sandifer  Goziah  Securities  each  50  lb. 
specia.  On  condition  the  Principal  appear  at  the  next 
term  of  Court. 

A  deed  of  gift  from  Jacob  Brown  to  Ann  Hender- 
son for  certain  premises  and  other  property  as  therein 
mentioned  was  proven  by  the  oath  of  Zachariah  Isbell, 
Esq.,  and  the  same  is  ord.  recorded. 

Thomas  Gillaspy  vs.  Samuel  Hill.  Debt,  dismissed 
by  plaintiff.  Thomas  Robertson  Prin.  in  sum  of  100  lb. 
specia.  John  Gilliland,  Samuel  Williams  securities  for 
50  lb.  specia  each.  On  condition  apear  next  Court. 
Memo.  Thomas  Talbot  to  pay  my  fees  for 

The  State  vs.  John  Holly.  Misdemeanor.  Defdt.  to 
appear  next  court.  Jas.  Alluott,  Jas.  Anderson,  Wm. 
Fain,  Nath.  Evans  witness  for  the  State — Sworn. 


58  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

A  power  of  Attorney  from  Benjamin  Johnstone  to 
Colo.  Charles  Robertson  investigating  him  with  certain 
powers  &cc  was  proven  by  the  oath  of  John  Burrows  and 
the  same  is  ordered  to  be  recorded. 

John  Sevier  and  Charles  Robertson,  Esq.  have  leave 
of  Administration  on  the  Estate  of  Robert  Sevier  deed. 
(He  was  John  Sevier's  brother  and  killed  in  King's  Moun- 
tain battle.) 

John  Holly,  Prin  in  sum  of  100  specia.  Joseph  Bill- 
lard  security  of  50  lb.  specia.  On  condition  that  Prin.  ap- 
pear in  next  court. 

John  Sevier  and  Charles  Robertson  have  entered 
Maj.  John  McNabb  and  Wm.  Cobb,  Esq.  their  securities 
in  the  sum  of  eight  hundred  pounds  specia  for  their  x>er- 
formance  of  the  administration  on  the  estate  of  Robert 
Sevier  according  to  law. 

The  Court  appointed  Charles  Robertson  Guardian 
to  the  orphans  of  Robert  Sevier  deed. 

John  Odull  Prin.  in  sum  of  100  lb.  specia. 

Jonathan  Tipton,  Joseph  Bullard,  Jas.  Denton  and 
Jas  Ray  securities  each  25  lb.  specia.  On  condition  the 
Prin.  appear  in  next  term  of  court. 

On  motion  of  William  Cocke,  Esq.,  that  a  negro 
wench  and  two  children  in  the  custody  of  Mrs.  Han- 
nah Clark  that  was  brought  from  the  State  of  Georgia 
formerly  the  property  of  Henry  Williams  now  confiscated 
be  taken  by  the  Sheriff  and  kept  in  his  custody  until  regu- 
larly called  for  according  to  law. 

James  Stuart  vs.  George  Pointer.  In  case  on  inquiry. 
Thos.  Gillaspy,  Robert  Gentry,  High  Stinson,  Jas.  Ray, 
Hosea  Roan,  Samuel  Williams,  Jonathan  Tipton,  Thomas 
Brumit,  John  Waddell,  George  Been,  Abner  Green  and 
Joseph  Bullard,  jurymen,  passed  on  the  aforesaid  tryal 
of  inquiry.  The  Jury  find  nine  hundred  pounds  dam- 
ages. Thomas  Gillaspy,  Foreman 

John  Holly  security  for  Frances  Holly  case  vs.  John 
Medlock. 

The  court  have  appointed  Jesse  Gentry  and  Samuel 
Lyles  constables. 

The  court  adjourned  till  tomorrow  at  Nine  o'clock. 

Thursday  morning  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Francis  Holly  vs.  John  Medlock.  Writ  of  inquiry. 
John  Waddle,  Jonathan  Tipton,  James  Anderson,  John 
Allison,  Julis  Robertson,  John  Gilliland,  James  Allison, 
Hosea  Roan,  Jas.  Millican,  James  Denton,  Wm.  Robertson 
and  George  Been  jurymen  passed  on  the  aforesaid  in- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  5£ 

quiry.    Jury  found  a  fine  for  the  plaintiff  of  five  hundred 
pounds  damages.  John  Gilliland,  Foreman. 

Charles  Robertson  vs.  James  Crawford.  In  case  of 
inquiry.  John  Waddle,  Jon'n  Tipton,  Jas.  Anderson, 
John  Allison,  Jno.  Gilliland,  Jas.  Allison,  Hosea  Roan, 
Jas.  Millican,  Jas.  Denton,  Geo.  Been,  Jas.  Henry  and 
Thos.  Gillaspy  passed  on  the  aforesaid  inquiry  and  same 
find  twenty  thousand  pounds  damages.  John  Gililand, 
Foreman. 

John  Sevier  has  leave  to  build  a  grist  mill  on  his 
land  whereon  Thomas  Fowler  lives,  and  that  he  be  en- 
titled to  take  and  receive  the  same  toll  and  same  rights 
and  immunities  as  other  public  grist  mills  are  entitled  to. 

Ordered  that  the  Sheriff  summon  Mary  Choate  and 
the  widow  or  wife  of  John  McGuff  to  appear  at  our  next 
court  to  show  cause  if  any  she  have  why  their  children 
may  not  be  bound  out  according  to  law. 

The  Court  resd.  the  Inventory  made  by  Robert  Irwin, 
Robert  Wier,  and  Anthony  Moore  assessors  for  the  year 
of  1781. 

Ordered  that  the  Tavern  keepers  for  the  present 
year  be  entitled  to  take  and  receive  the  following  allow- 
ances and  prices  and  no  more : 

West  I  Best  Rum  2  lb.,  2  s.  pr.  gallon. 

Continent  or  taffy  do.  1  p.,  12  s.  pr.  gallon. 

Peach  brandy  1  p.,  4  s.  pr.  gallon. 

Good  whisky  10  s.  pr.  gallon. 

Beer,  2  s.  per  gallon. 

Hott  Dinner,  1  s. 

Breakfast  or  supper  with  tea  or  coffee  1  s. 

Corn  or  oats  pr.  quart,  2  s. 

Pasture,  stabledge  with  fodder,  &c,  8  d.  pr  night. 

The  court  have  appointed  William  Cox,  George  Rus- 
sell &  Joseph  Dunham  to  review  and  mark  a  road  from 

of  Watagua  to  the  Court  House  and  make 

return  by  next  court. 

Court  adjourned  till  court  in  course. 

Thos.  Houghton 
James  Stuart 
John  Newman 
Danl.  Kennedy 
Jno.  McNabb 
Andw.  Greer 
Jno.  McMaihen 

May  Term,  1782 
Present  the  Worshipful   Andrew   Greer,   Chairman 


60  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Jno.  McNabb,  Jos.  Willson,  Rich.  White,  William  Clark, 
Charles  Robertson,  Valentine  Sevier,  Wm.  McNabb. 

Grand  Jurymen  to-wit:  Jesse  Bounds,,  John  Nave, 
Joseph  Posey,  Hosea  Roan,  Thomas  Jonchin,  Samuel 
Hill,  Jacob  Brown,  James  Stinson,  Joseph  Young,  Jesse 
Been,  absent  Thos.  Brummit,  Jonas  Little,  George  Been, 
absent  John  Terry,  Wm.  Cox,  Davis  Willson  absent  and 
Henry  Massingale.  The  Grand  Jury  sworn,  William 
Meeks  appointed  to  attend  the  Grand  Jury. 

On  Complaint  of  Hosea  Roan  by  his  attorney  Eph- 
eaim  Dunlap,  esq.  that  the  said  Hosia  Roan  had  just  rea- 
sons to  believe  that  Captain  Jacob  Brown  intended  to  do 
him  some  bodily  injury  and  damage  and  that  the  com- 
plainant may  have  leave  to  produce  his  witness  &c  which 
was  accordingly  done  and  the  Court  have  ordered  that 
the  said  Captain  Jacob  Brown  give  security  for  his  good 
behavior  &cc  for  a  year  and  one  day  himself  in  the  sum 
of  100  pounds,  and  two  securities  50  pounds  each.  Char- 
les Robertson  and  Jonathan  Tipton  went  his  security. 

The  Last  Will  and  Testament  of  John  Pavely  deed. 
was  duly  proven  by  Charles  Dobson  and  Lewis  Pavely 
the  same  recorded. 

The  Last  Will  and  Testament  of  William  Been  deed, 
was  duly  proved  by  Thomas  Hardeman  and  the  same  re- 
corded. 

Ord.  that  Deds  protestatem  issue  to  three  Justices  in 

District,  to  take  the    deposition    of 

Vardara  Magbee,  George  Underwood,  William  Cooper, 
James  Denard,  on  behalf  of  William  Saffold  in  a  suit  be- 
tween the  sd.  Saffold  vs.  Matthew  Gale. 

Jonathan  Tipton,  Joseph  Bullard,  Jas.  Denton  and 
Jas.  Ray  securities  for  the  appearance  of  John  Odull  sur- 
render him  to  the  court.  The  court  discharged  John 
Odull. 

Agnes  Hays  leave  of  administration  of  the  estate  of 
David  Hay  Deed  She  give  bond  and  Pharoah  Cobb  and 
William  Ward  the  securities,  5,000  p. 

Thomas  Ritchie  appointed  constable  in  room  of  Wil- 
liam Moore. 

Thomas  Mitchell  appointed  constable  in  room  of 
Abraham  Hill. 

The  last  will  and  testament  of  Aaron  Burlison  deed. 
was  proven  by  Thomas  Williams.     The  same  recorded. 

Ord.  that  Jermiah  Terrell  give  bond  in  100  pounds 
and  two  securities  for  his  good  behavior  for  twelve 
months  especially  towards  Mildred  Bond.  William  Meek 
and  Thomas  Brummit  went  his  bond. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  61 

Tuesday  morning. 

William  Cocke,  Andrew  Taylor,  and  James  Henry 
assessors  for  1781. 

Order  that  George  Bond  13  years  of  age  be  bound 
to  John  Clark  blacksmith  until  he  reaches  the  age  of 
twenty  one  years,  John  Clark  to  give  bond.  William 
Clark  and  James  Hubbard  went  the  bond  in  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  pounds  each. 

John  Clark,  John  Gillaland  and  Joseph  Tipton  added 
to  the  Grand  Jury. 

William  Philips  summoned  to  court  and  fined  five 
pounds  for  assaulting  and  ill  treating  Jesse  Been  of  the 
Grand  Jury. 

Michael  Woods,  Alexander  Moore  and  Samuel  Sher- 
rell,  Jr.,  to  appraise  the  estate  of  Adam  Broils,  Deed. 

On  the  motion  of  Mary  Handly  by  her  attorney,  Luke 
Bowyer,  Esq.,  that  she  the  sd  Mary  should  be  released 
and  set  free  from  an  indenture  suggested  to  be  fraudu- 
lently obtained  by,  a  certain  William  White  against  her 
the  sd  Mary  Handly,  and  that  the  sd  William  White  had 
restrained  the  sd  Mary  Handly  from  her  liberty,  made 
sale  and  disposed  of  her  property  contrary  to  law  to  her 
great  damage.  The  court  takes  the  same  under  conside- 
ration and  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  sd  Mary  Handly 
have  been  illegally  dealt  with  by  the  sd  William  White, 
by  him  confined  and  disposed  of  contrary  to  law  there- 
fore order  sd  Mary  Handly  be  set  at  her  liberty  and  she 
be  permitted  to  go  about  her  lawful  occasions. 

Ord  that  Ed  Maguff  an  orphan  boy  of  the  age  of 
seven  years  be  bound  to  Gedeon  Morriss  and  sd  Morriss 
agrees  with  Court  that  he  will  give  said  child  two  years 
schooling  and  a  common  good  suit  of  clothes  at  the  close 
of  his  apprenticeship. 

Ord  that  Joseph  Whitson  serve  Constable  in  room 
of  Isaac  Taylor. 

Ord  the  sheriff  to  take  John  Grimes  to  next  court  to 
answer  the  complaint  of  Elizabeth  Ireland. 

The  State  vs.  John  Holly.  Misdemeanor.  William 
Fain  witness  for  the  State.  The  court  are  of  the  opinion 
that  the  defdt  guilty  and  fine  him  fifty  shillings. 

The  Grand  Jury  present  Thomas  Carder  for  stealing 
a  small  piece  of  steel.  Edmund  Williams,  William  Brim- 
er,  Augusta  Carter,  Richard  Brasil. 

On  motion  of  Wm.  Cocke,  Esq.  that  two  negroes  now 
in  the  possession  of  Cleaver  Barksdale,  Sheriff  and  by 
him  taken  from  Jordon  Roatch  on  suspicion  that  the  sd 
negroes  were  plundered  from  some  citizen  of  South  Car- 


'62  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

ilina.  But  no  proof  of  the  same,  and  ordered  into  the 
custody  of  Jordan  Roatch,  he  to  give  bond  for  keeping 
the  said  negroes  in  this  county  six  months  from  date, 
and  deliver  them  if  any  owner  can  legally  prove  the 
same. 

On  motion  that  Joshua  Baulding  be  admitted  in  this 
county  on  proviso  that  he  comply  with  the  laws  provided 
for  persons  being  inimical  to  the  State  and  have  rendered 
service  that  will  expiate  any  crime  that  he  has  been 
guilty  of  inimical  to  the  State  and  United  States. 

The  Court  considering  the  same  grant  the  sd  leave 
(copy  issued  to  his  wife) 

William  Barry  have  deposited  to  the  clerk  three 
thousand  dollars  in  order  to  satisfy  a  Bond  on  which 
John  Jameson  brought  with  sd  William  Barry. 

William  Hopkins  discharged  by  proclamation,  &cc. 

The  State  vs.  William  Carder.  Stealing  a  piece  of 
steel.  A  jury  towit:  John  Long,  Joseph  Notion,  Joseph 
Ballard,  Isaac  Denton,  Anderson  Smith,  Edward  Mercer, 
Forester  Mercer,  Walton  Carr,  James  Wray,  Jesse  Coal- 
men, James  McAdams  and  Isaac  Choat.  We  of  the  jury 
do  find  the  Defdt  not  guilty. 

John  Long,  Foreman. 

Court  adjourned. 

Court  met. 

I  James  Roddy,  Cornelius  Bowman  &  Jos.  Foard,  is 
appointed  assessors  for  the  first  District  7  Richard  White, 
Esq.  Justice,  and  Andrew  Willson  constable. 

2  Thomas  Houghton,  Esq. 
Landon  Carter 

Val.  Sevier 

And.  Greer,  Assessor 

Jos.  Whitson,  Constable 

3  Geo.  Russell,  Esq. 
Mark  Mitchell 
Pharoah  Cobb 
Jesse  Been,  Assessor 
Wm.  Grissom,  Constable 

4  Charles  Robertson,  Esq. 
Jesse  Bounds 

Isaac  Mayfield 

William  Murphy,  Assessor 

William  Meeks,  Constable 

5  Daniel  Kennedy 
Peter  Keikendall 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  63 

William  Ritchey 
Samuel  Wear,  Assessor 
Jesse  Gentry,  Constable 

John  Sevier,  William  Cocke  and  Val.  Sevier  is  ap- 
pointed commissioners  of  confiscated  property,  &cc  for 
the  year  of  1782  given  bond  and  security  in  the  sum  of 
fifteen  thousand  pounds.  Andrew  Greer,  William  Mc- 
Nabb,  and  Samuel  Williams  went  the  security. 

John  Sevier  commissioner  for  1781  made  return  that 
he  sold  two  slaves  that  was  confiscated  from  of  the  es- 
tate of  Thomas  Barker  at  the  price  of  thirty  four  hun- 
dred pounds  and  that  he  has  the  money  to  render  unto 
the  court. 

The  State  vs.  Ezekial  Able.  Indicmt  for  stealing  a 
horse.  John  Odull  witness  for  State  sworn.  Mary  Hop- 
kins, Charles  Hughes,  &  Jesse  Coalmen  witness  for  Defdt. 
sworn.     The  indictment  quashed  for  insufficiency. 

The  last  Will  and  Testament  of  Adam  Broils  proved 
by  John  Waddle,  Gonad  Willhite  and  Mathias  Broils,  the 
same  ordered  recorded. 

On  motion  that  John  Clark  be  bound  to  good  be- 
havior for  fear  he  may  do  John  Nave  some  damage  either 
in  person  or  property.  John  Clark  bound,  Val.  Sevier 
and  Wm.  Clark  his  securities. 

John  Gillaland  vs.  John  Shurly.  On  Cavit.  The 
sheriff  returned  into  court  that  the  Jury  have  found  for 
defendant. 

Joseph  Young  vs.  William  Gray.  On  Cavit.  The 
sheriff  returned  into  Court  that  the  jury  found  for  the 
Pltff. 

The  court  allows  the  clerk  to  take  and  receive  for 
issuing  orders  for  each  tryal  of  Cavited  land,  20  shillings 
in  specie  and  for  witness  as  in  other  cases  according  to 
the  former  laws  prescribed  in  Davis  justice  of  peace. 

Ordered  the  grist  mill  now  building  by Al- 
lison be  a  public  grist  mill  and  be  entitled  to  the  same 
rights  as  other  Grist  Mills  have  within  this  county. 

Alex  McFarlin  have  leave  to  build  a  grist  mill  on 
Pigeon  Creek  on  his  own  land  and  have  the  same  rights 
as  other  grist  mills  in  this  county. 

The  court  allows  Cleavers  Barksdale  sheriff  in  specie 
fifty  pounds  for  his  ex  officio  service  in  1781. 

Sarah  Bybee  have  chosen  Isaac  May-field  her  guard- 
ian and  is  appointed  as  such  by  the  court  and  have  enter- 
ed himself  with  Charles  Robertson  and  Zachariah  Isbell, 
Esq.  in  the  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand  pounds  for  the 
faithful  performance  as  such. 


Ill 


GENERAL  JOHN  SEVIER 

The  Seviers  are  of  French  origin,  and  the  French 
spelling  of  the  name  is  said  to  have  been  Xavier.  Valen- 
tine was  born  in  London  and  settled  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  of  Virginia,  where  his  son  was  born  in  1740.  The 
first  wife  of  John  was  a  Miss  Hawkins,  by  whom  he  had 
six  children. 

With  a  party  of  explorers  and  land  prospectors, 
John  came  to  the  Holston  about  1769.  He  built  the  first 
fort  on  the  Watauga,  and  here  he  settled  together  with 
his  father,  his  brother  Valentine,  and  other  immigrants. 

The  second  marriage  of  John  Sevier  had  a  roman- 
tic background.  While  he  and  James  Robertson  were 
defending  the  Watauga  fort,  he  saw  a  tall  young  lady 
fleeing  toward  the  fort,  closely  pursued  by  the  red  men, 
and  her  approach  to  the  gate  cut  off.  Turning  suddenly, 
she  leaped  the  palisade  at  another  point  and  fell  into  the 
arms  of  Captain  John  Sevier.  She  was  Catharine  Sher- 
rill,  who  became  his  devoted  wife  and  the  mother  of  ten 
children.  The  first  wife  of  Sevier  was  delicate  and  never 
left  Virginia. 

While  on  a  visit  to  his  family  in  1774,  Sevier  was 
commissioned  captain  and  took  part  in  the  Point  Pleas- 
ant campaign. 

The  settlers  on  the  Holston  being  beyond  the  in- 
fluence of  the  North  Carolina  government,  adopted  the 
form  known  in  American  history  as  the  Watauga  Conven- 
tion, and  Sevier  was  one  of  its  four  delegates  to  the  As- 
sembly of  North  Carolina.  He  was  instrumental  in  se- 
curing the  establishment  of  the  District  of  Washington. 
For  five  years  the  people  had  been  getting  along  very 
well  under  the  rudimentary  government  of  the  Associa- 
tion, and  by  sundry  laws  its  acts  were  validated  by  the 
state. 

In  June,  1776,  the  Cherokees  attacked  the  Watauga 
fort,  and  as  we  have  seen  they  were  indirectly  the  means 
of  providing  Sevier  with  another  wife.  The  marriage 
took  place  about  1779.  It  was  said  of  the  bride  that  "she 
could  outrun,  outjump,  walk  more  erect,  and  ride  more 
gracefully  than  any  other  female  in  all  the  mountains 
around,  or  on  the  continent  at  large." 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  65 

The  American  Revolution  was  now  on,  and  Sevier 
had  much  to  do  in  contending  with  the  Indians  and  tor- 
ies.  In  1777  he  became  a  lieutenant  colonel.  In  1779  he 
made  a  damaging  foray  into  the  Cherokee  domain.  The 
battle  of  Boyd's  Creek  would  doubtless  have  been  a  com- 
plete victory,  had  his  orders  been  duly  executed.  The 
failure  led  to  a  feud  between  Sevier  and  another  conspic- 
uous settler  of  East  Tennessee.  A  few  days  later,  Sevier 
was  joined  by  Isaac  Shelby  and  Arthur  Campbell  with 
reenforcements,  and  the  command  being  now  harmon- 
ious, they  chastised  the  Cherokees  and  returned  home 
with  a  better  feeling  of  security. 

A  critical  year  was  1780.  The  British  were  overrun- 
ning Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  Gates  had  been  com- 
pletely defeated,  money,  clothing,  and  ammunition  were 
scarce,  the  tories  were  daring  and  savage,  and  the  In- 
dians, instigated  by  emissaries,  were  harrying  the  fron- 
tier. Many  became  despondent,  and  took  refuge  under 
the  protection  certificates  of  the  British,  these,  however, 
not  proving  dependable.  The  sun  of  Independence  seem- 
ed about  to  hide  behind  accumulating  clouds. 

Sevier  is  entitled  to  a  full  share  of  the  glory  won 
October  7,  1780.  The  sword  and  vote  of  thanks  from  the 
state  of  North  Carolina  were  well  earned  and  were  cred- 
itable to  the  state.  But  the  deeds  of  Sevier  deserve  to 
be  commemmorated  in  a  cenotaph,  hewn  out  of  the  beau- 
tiful marble  of  the  county  named  for  him.  People  of 
East  Tennessee,  consult,  contribute,  construct  a  cenotaph 
worthy  of  him  and  worthy  of  yourselves. 

In  the  fall  of  1780  an  infamous  tory  of  the  name  of 
Dykes  plotted  a  cruel  and  ignominious  death  for  Sevier, 
and  would  have  accomplished  his  object  had  not  his  wife 
informed  Mrs.  Sevier. 

The  preceding  June,  Sevier  had  marched  into  South 
Carolina  to  aid  McDowell  against  the  Cherokees  and 
Creeks.  During  this  absence  the  battle  of  Musgrove's 
Mill  took  place. 

In  February,  1781,  Washington  District  had  become 
Washington  County,  and  Sevier  was  commissioned  as  its 
colonel.  A  few  days  later  General  Greene  appointed  him 
a  commissioner  to  treat  with  the  Cherokees  and  other 
tribes. 

In  one  of  his  expeditions  against  the  red  men  Sevier 
took  back  to  the  settlements  about  thirty  of  the  Indian 
women  and  children.  Ten  of  them  remained  three  years 
at  his  own  home,  working  not  at  all,  or  not  enough  to 


66  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

"pay  for  their  salt."  But  the  kind  treatment  of  these  In- 
dians was  one  of  his  best  victories,  although  neither  the 
state  nor  the  general  government  ever  gave  him  any  re- 
muneration. 

The  same  year.  Sevier  and  Shelby  were  compliment- 
ed in  a  resolution  by  the  Assembly  of  North  Carolina. 
They  were  urged  to  defend  the  frontier — upon  their  own 
hook.  Other  compliments  came  to  hand,  and  in  some  of 
them  Sevier  is  addressed  as  "Your  Excellency." 

In  September,  1781,  Sevier  marched  with  200  men 
to  the  aid  of  General  Greene,  and  joined  himself  to  Mar- 
ion, as  did  also  Shelby.  After  the  surrender  of  Cornwal- 
lis,  Sevier  and  Shelby  wished  to  attack  the  Hessians  at 
Monk's  Corner,  near  Charleston,  but  had  to  be  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Mayhew  of  South  Carolina.  Sevier 
remained  till  the  end  of  the  year,  but  Shelby  returned 
to  attend  the  legislature.  Sevier  conducted  other  expedi- 
tions into  the  Indian  country,  for  the  peace  with  England 
did  not  end  the  warfare  on  the  border. 

In  1784  came  the  episode  of  the  state  of  Franklin, 
with  its  stirring  scenes  and  its  medley  of  strife ;  and  very 
much  of  the  trouble  was  directed  at  the  very  men  who 
had  done  more  than  any  others  to  promote  the  peace  and 
prosperity  of  the  over-mountain  settlements.  Sevier  was 
tendered  a  commission  as  brigadier  general  by  the  gov- 
ernment of  North  Carolina,  and  not  a  few  held  that  it 
was  to  withdraw  him  from  any  active  participation  in 
the  movement  for  a  new  state.  In  the  strife  of  that  day, 
each  party  was  ambitious  for  his  friendship  and  desired 
him  as  a  leader.  He  had  to  contend  with  active  and 
vigilant  opponents,  but  he  feared  not,  faltered  not,  failed 
not.  To  him  the  coonskin  money  of  the  state  of  Frank- 
lin was  of  more  esteem  than  the  two  hundred  thousand 
dollars  of  North  Carolina  currency  in  his  log  cabin.  This 
paper  was  "not  worth  a  continental. "  In  the  several 
treaties  he  negotiated  with  the  Indians  while  he  was  gov- 
ernor of  Franklin,  the  pipe  of  peace  was  lighted  with 
North  Carolina  notes. 

In  1738  the  Cherokees  disregarded  the  treaty  of 
Hopewell,  and  Sevier  had  to  punish  them  in  their  towns 
on  the  Hiwassee. 

In  1787-88  the  anxiety  of  North  Carolina  to  be  re- 
lieved of  the  many  and  urgent  demands  upon  her  treas- 
ury by  the  western  counties  induced  Sevier  and  his 
friends  to  accede  to  measures  of  adjustment.  The  trans- 
montane  region  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  and  was 
organized  as  the  Territory  South  of  the  Ohio.     The  state 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  67 

of  Franklin  gently  passed  out  of  existence,  and  in  1796 
the  state  of  Tennessee  was  admitted  to  the  Union.  Gen- 
eral Sevier  was  the  first  governor,  and  until  the  end  of 
his  days  he  was  much  in  public  life.  The  settlers  of  East 
Tennessee  regarded  him  as  father,  friend,  and  protector 
and  his  word  and  will  were  law  and  gospel.  So  often 
was  he  engaged  in  negotiations  with  the  Indians  that  he 
was  known  as  the  "Treaty-Maker."  But  his  more  fa- 
miliar soubriquet  was  "Chunky  Jack." 

After  Wayne's  victory  in  1794  the  Southern  Indians 
became  less  warlike,  yet  neither  they  nor  their  white 
neighbors  always  kept  the  peace. 

Sevier's  second  term  as  governor  closed  in  1801,  but 
he  was  called  back  to  succeed  Archibald  Roane  in  1803, 
serving  until  1811,  when  he  was  chosen  as  one  of  Tenes- 
see's  three  Congressmen.  In  1813  he  was  reelected,  and 
during  the  war  of  1812  was  a  member  of  the  military 
committee,  a  very  important  post,  and  his  opinions,  es- 
pecially in  regard  to  Western  affairs  were  earnest^  sought 
and  highly  respected. 

On  retiring  from  Congress  in  1815,  he  was  persuaded 
hy  the  president  to  become  a  commissioner  to  adjust  dif- 
ficulties with  the  Creek  Indians.  In  accepting  this  posi- 
tion he  went  against  the  advice  of  friends,  who  took  into 
account  his  age  and  his  impaired  health.  While  on  this 
official  duty  he  died  near  Fort  Decatur  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Tallapoosa,  September  24,  1815,  and  was  buried  with 
the  honors  of  war.  General  Gaines,  was  in  command,  and 
although  himself  quite  sick,  paid  the  last  tribute  of  re- 
spect to  a  brave  fellow  soldier. 

General  Sevier  was  in  every  instance  elected  to  the 
governorship  and  to  Congress  with  practically  no  opposi- 
tion. 

In  this  brief  summary  there  has  been  no  mention  of 
the  battle  of  Hightower,  or  of  the  other  military  enter- 
prises for  which  no  compensation  was  received.  Sevier 
was  nearly  ruined  thereby,  and  while  absent  on  military 
service,  personal  and  political  enemies  seized  his  fifteen 
slaves  and  took  them  off. 

The  life  of  Sevier  was  a  busy  life.  He  never  became 
a  retired  man  or  private  citizen.  No  stone  marked  the 
first  resting  place,  and  near  the  grave  is  that  of  the  good 
captain  who  fired  the  last  volley  over  the  dust  of  the  pa- 
triotic hero.  And  the  gazing,  thoughtful  Indian  raised 
the  question  :  "Is  this  the  goal  of  ambition  ?"  Is  it  enough 
to  pass  resolutions  and  wear  crape  a  few  days — and  then 
forget  ? 


IV. 

LETTER  BY  DRAPER  TO  MARTIN 

The  following  letter  to  William  Martin  is  of  special 
interest.  It  contains  information  Dr.  Draper  was  intend- 
ing to  use  in  a  second  volume,  but  he  died  before  he  could 
prepare  his  manuscript.  William  Martin  was  a  son  of 
General  Joseph  Martin,  who  was  born  in  Albemarle 
county,  Virginia,  in  1740.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  ran 
away  from  home  to  become  a  trapper  and  trader.  He 
traveled  with  Boone  and  Walker  and  visited  Powell's 
Valley  as  early  as  1769.  In  1774  he  was  commandant 
of  a  frontier  fort.  Patrick  Henry,  governor  of  Virginia, 
appointing  him  an  Indian  agent  in  1776,  he  built  a  block- 
house on  Long  Island  near  where  now  is  Kingsport.  Gen- 
eral Martin  was  very  tall,  handsome,  robust,  and  fearless, 
and  was  liked  by  all.  His  married  life  was  irregular. 
His  first  wife  was  of  a  prominent  Virginia  family.  After 
she  died  he  married  another  Virginia  lady,  yet  was  al- 
ready living  with  an  Indian  wife,  and  spending  most  of 
his  time  with  her.  She  was  Betsy,  the  handsome  daugh- 
ter of  Nancy  Ward,  the  Pocahontas  of  Tennessee.  Both 
wives  approved  of  his  marital  conduct,  and  would  not 
allow  their  children  to  criticize  their  father,  although  it 
is  now  known  they  had  bitter  feelings  on  the  matter.  Gen- 
eral Martin  excused  his  bigamy  by  saying  it  was  the  only 
way  by  which  he  could  secure  favorable  treaties  from 
the  Indians. 

William  Martin  was  living  at  Dixon's  Springs,  Smith 
County,  Tennessee. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  February  18th,  1843. 
My  Dear  &  Aged  Friend  : — 

I  need  hardly  tell  you  that  while  your  eight  sheet 
packet  of  the  1st  January  afforded  me  great  pleasure  in 
view  of  the  Pioneer  store  of  information  it  contained,  yet 
I  was  &  still  am,  greatly  grieved  and  alarmed  in  conse- 
quence of  the  announcement  at  the  close  of  your  com- 
munication— that  it  is  the  last,  probably,  I  may  ever  re- 
ceive from  you.  I  am  pained  that  you  are  so  afflicted  & 
I  say  this  not  merely  from  selfish  considerations.  I  can- 
not bear  the  thought  of  having  it  so ;  &  still  if  necessity, 
or  your  comfort  even  requires  it,  I  will  try  &  be  sub- 
missive.   I  trust  and  pray  that  you  may  be  restored  again 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  69 

to  enjoy  yet  many  more  happy  years  in  your  old  age, 
that  I  may  be  permitted  often  to  hear  from  you,  &, 
withal,  that  Deo  Volente  I  may  yet  see  you  face  to 
face.  I  still  flatter  myself  the  pleasure  of  a  trip  to  South- 
western Virginia  and  Tennessee  this  coming  autumn. 

My  intention  is  to  strike  for  your  brothers  in  Henry 
county — those  old  manuscripts,  &  those  young  girls,  you 
know  are  powerful  to  one  of  my  age  and  composition. 
But  as  I  am  not  just  now  in  a  joking  mood,  I  will  dis- 
miss that  part  of  the  allusion.  Of  course  I  must  visit 
Gov.  Campbell;  and  I  hope  in  time  to  get  track  of  Gen- 
eral Andrew  Lewis'  descendants  &  make  them  a  call — 
there  I  must  suppose  are  old  documents.  Governor  Jas. 
Preston  of  Montgomery  county  I  presume  had  those  of  his 
father,  Col.  Wm.  Preston.  Once  through  with  So.  W. 
Virginia,  I  should  push  for  the  neighborhood  of  Blounts- 
ville,  the  Long  Island  Flat  battle  ground,  thence  down  to 
Jonesborough  and  to  Knoxville,  &  since  I  last  wrote  you 
I  have  a  long  communication  from  Col.  George  Chris- 
tian— he,  it  seems,  was  with  your  father  on  the  Lookout 
Mountain  campaign,  but  does  not  give  any  particulars, 
save  that  his  father  was  aide  to  General  Martin — that  the 
army  consisted  of  about  500  men,  had  "a  smart  brush" 
at  Lookout  mountain — had  three  men  killed  &  five 
wounded,  while  the  loss  of  the  Indians  was  some  9  or 
ten.  I  must  ask  Col.  Christian  for  a  detailed  account; 
which,  with  yours,  our  brother  Tobey's  in  anticipation, 
my  old  man  Job's  and  Haywood's  will  enable  me  to  draw 
up  a  pretty  full  and  interesting  history  of  that  campaign. 
I  am  the  more  anxious  to  do  this  from  the  fact  that  your 
father's  name  is  more  intimately  associated  with  this 
noted  military  transaction  than  with  any  other.  It  is  due 
to  his  memory  and  services — it  is  due  to  the  great  subject 
in  the  prosecution  of  which  I  am  engaged — the  Pioneer 
history  of  the  great  Western  Valley. 

And  while  speaking  of  Col.  Christian  let  me  add, 
that  he  has  given  me  some  particulars  of  the  Flat  battle 
from  an  aged  neighbor  of  his — one  Cornelius  Carmack, 
who  was  in  the  battle.  I  have  fortunately  ascertained  that 
one  person  at  least  of  all  those  engaged  in  that  affair, 
yet  survives.  This  is  an  additional  incentive  for  me  to 
hurry  my  intended  tour  to  the  South  West.  I  am  pretty 
sure  Mr.  Carmack's  memory  in  some  particulars  is  de- 
fective— he  enumerates  James  Thompson,  James  Shelby, 
William  Cocke,  Robert  Edmondson,  &  a  Mr.  Buchanan 
as  having  commanded  companies — &  Mr.  Buchanan,  he 


70  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

thinks,  remained  to  defend  the  Station,  while  the  others 
went  forth  to  battle.  Robert  Edmondson  I  know  for  a 
certainty  was  there,  but  I  feel  confident  he  did  not  com- 
mand a  Company — I  have  often  conversed  with  Capt.  A. 
J.  Edmondson  of  Pontotoc,  a  son  of  Robt.  Edmondson,  & 
had  his  father  commanded  a  company  I  should  have  had 
the  fact  from  his  son.  I  never  before  heard  of  a  Captain 
Buchanan  being  there  at  the  head  of  a  company  and 
must  think  it  is  an  error.  Gov.  Campbell's  father,  Cap- 
tain John  Campbell,  commanded  a  company  in  the  bat- 
tle &  it  seems  probable  that  John  Morrison  (afterwards 
Col.  John  Morrison  of  Kentucky)  and  William  Russell, 
afterwards  Gen.  Russell,  also  commanded  companies. 
Gov.  Campbell  says  he  is  sure  Morrision  was  at  the  head 
of  a  company  &  Russell  was  certainly  in  the  action  & 
was  then  a  captain — as  indeed  he  was  at  Pt.  Pleasant 
in  '74;  but  while  I  think  he  commanded  a  company  at 
the  Flats,  I  do  not  yet  feel  positive  of  it.  The  Hon.  Wil- 
liam B.  Campbell  inclines  to  the  same  opinion,  &  thinks 
he  can  ascertain  for  a  certainty.  I  cannot  but  think  that 
Captain  James  Shelby  was  at  the  Station,  not  in  the  bat- 
tle. Even  Haywood  speaks  of  John  Morrison  &  Robert 
Edmondson  as  making  "conspicuous  exertions,"  "they  ad- 
vanced some  places  towards  the  enemy  &  began  the  bat 
tie  by  shooting  down  the  foremost  of  them;"  but  the 
Judge  is  careful  to  class  them  among  "the  men"  as  con- 
tradistinguished from  "the  officers."  t  I  have  said  this 
much  about  the  Captains  who  commanded  companies  in 
the  Flat  battle,  in  the  hope  that  you  may  be  able  to  re- 
call to  your  recollection  something  definite  about  the 
doubtful  matters.  As  there  was  no  official  account  of 
that  engagement,  I  must  keep  Digging  at  the  subject  un- 
til I  get  it  as  near  accurate  as  may  be  at  this  late  day. 
A.nd  here  let  me  say,  I  am  gratified  not  a  little  with  what 
you  tell  me  of  "Big  Elleck  Moore."  Have  you  any  idea 
to  whose  company  he  was  attached  ? — &  what  finally  be- 
came of  him?  Haywood  speaks  of  "Heaton's  Station" 
— in  yours  of  1st  of  Dec.  you  speak  of  the  same.  Now 
Gov.  Campbell  assures  me  it  was  "Eaton's"  not  Heaton's, 
&  Col.  Geo.  Christian  says  so,  too,  &  adds  that  at  all 
events  the  old  man  after  whom  it  was  named,  was  al- 
ways known  as  "Amos  Eaton."  The  peculiar  mode  ot 
pronunciation  as  practiced  in  England  with  the  rough 
breathing,  would  make  "Eaton"  "Heaton."  May  not 
this  have  occurred  in  some  such  way  as  this  ? 

Now  a  word  as  to  the  origin  of   the    name    of   the 
Frankland  government.  You  and  some  others  are  impres- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  71 

sed  with  the  idea  that  the  name  was  originally  Franklin  in 
honor  of  Dr.  Ben.  Franklin.  I  had  a  long  conversation 
with  Gen.  Stephen  Cocke,  a  son  of  old  Colonel  William 
Cocke  and  this  matter  was  brought  upon  the  tapis.  You 
know  full  well  that  Col.  Cocke  figured  conspicuously  in 
the  Frankland  affair.  His  son  told  me  his  father  had 
often  informed  him  that  as  the  friends  of  the  new  gov- 
ernment aimed  to  form  a  sovereign  State,  free  of  North 
Carolina,  they  hit  upon  the  name  Frankland  as  peculiarly 
appropriate — for  Frankland  is  equivalent  to  Freeland.  I 
dare  say  Judge  Haywood  adopted  the  name  Frankland 
with  this  impression  as  to  its  origin  and  meaning.  I  will 
shortly  write  to  Maj.  James  Sevier  of  Jonesboro,  asking 
his  recollection  about  it.  I  do  not  doubt  that  the  idea 
was  pretty  generally  prevalent,  that  the  short  lived  re- 
public was  named  in  honor  of  Dr.  Franklin.  I  feel  cur- 
ious to  know  which  was  the  true  original  name.  I  dare 
say  Dr.  Ramsey  would  know  something  about  the  matter; 
but,  as  I  said  to  you  in  a  former  letter,  I  cannot  draw  him 
into  a  correspondence  with  me.  I  regret  this  for  many 
reasons. 

KING'S  MOUNTAIN— You  have  certainly  given 
some  new  views  with  regard  to  this  great  campaign  and 
battle.  I  already  have  the  official  account  signed  by 
"Win.  Campbell,  Isaac  Shelby,  Benj.  Cleveland. "  I  clip- 
ped it  from  a  newspaper  some  years  ago  copied  from  the 
"Columbia  S.  C.  Telescope"  &  that  is  the  residence  of 
the  Hon.  Wm.  C.  Preston  &  I  doubt  not  this  document 
was  obtained  from  him.  I  may  here  add  this  original 
report  was  published  in  the  Virginia  Gazette  in  Novem- 
ber 1780 ;  at  least  I  have  the  authority  of  Chief  Justice 
Marshall  for  it.  You  spoke  of  nine  Tories  being  sentenc- 
ed to  be  hung  after  the  action  &  one  broke  and  escaped. 
From  the  several  statements  I  have,  I  must  suppose  nine 
were  executed,  &  one  escaped.  The  present  venerable 
Maj.  Benj.  Sharp  of  Missouri,  avers  that  nine  were  hung 
— &  he  was  in  the  battle ;  &  Silas  McBee  of  Pontotoc 
county  Miss.,  who  was  under  Col.  Williams  has  told  me 
the  same,  &  that  the  tenth  effected  his  escape.  I  would 
be  glad  if  further  reflection  would  lead  you  to  coincide 
with  them — It  is,  I  am  aware,  not  very  important  whether 
eight  or  nine  were  hung;  still  I  would  like  to  be  positive. 
This  Silas  McBee  was  a  Tugalo  resident,  afterwards  set- 
tled in  the  Cumberland  country  about  '90  or  '92,  then 
in  Kentucky  aided  in  capturing  and  killing  Big  Harper. 
I  took  full  notes  of  his  recollection  of  all  these  earlv  trans- 


72  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

actions — Spent  several  days  with  him  He  is  a  wealthy 
&  hospitable  old  planter  just  about  your  own  age,  the 
father-in-law  of  Gov.  T.  M.  Tucker  of  Miss.,  and  of  the 
Hon.  Thos.  H.  Williams,  late  U.  S.  Senator  from  that 
State — One  word  more  with  regard  to  King's  Mountain. 
I  have  written  Gov.  Campbell  about  the  Shelby  &  Pres- 
ton correspondence,  to  which  you  alluded  in  a  former  let- 
ter &  of  which  I  had  an  imperfect  knowledge  from  my 
friend  Capt.  A.  J.  Edmondson  and  others.  If  the  Gov- 
ernor nor  Mrs.  Gen.  Francis  Preston  possess  not  a  copy 
then  I  will  apply  direct  to  Wm.  C.  Preston.  I  doubt  not 
it  would  throw  some  light  upon  the  battle  and  its  distin- 
guished actors,  &  that  without  prejudicing  my  exalted 
opinion  of  General  William  Campbell  and  Governor  Isaac 
Shelby. 

COL.  BENJAMIN  CLEVELAND— I  have  been  de- 
lighted with  your  sketch  of  this  great  &  daring  borderer. 
It  confirmed  me  in  my  opinion  of  the  man  &  corroborates 
many  incidents  I  had  heard  of  him  from  aged  Tugalo 
residents.  Maj.  Meredith  Thurmond,  Mr.  Portman,  Silas 
McBee,  Dr.  John  Miller  (son-in-law  of  Gen.  Pickens)  & 
his  estimable  lady,  Mr.  McCord  and  others.  I  am  chiefly 
indebted  to  Maj.  Thurmond  for  what  I  know  prior  to  the 
reception  of  your  last  packet.  The  Major  told  me  in  sub- 
stance, 'tis  not  so  minutely,  his  origin  from  the  Cromwell 
stock — from  Orange  or  Albemarle,  Va., — about  his  early 
trip  to  Kentucky — his  being  taken  by  the  Tories  and  final- 
ly rescued,  &  I  had  visited  a  daughter  of  Gen.  Ben. 
Cleveland's  (of  Georgia,  the  son  of  "Devil  John") — this 
lady,  and  she  is  a  lady,  gave  me  some  account,  or  I  should 
say  a  very  particular  account  of  the  descendants  of  Col. 
Ben.  Cleveland  and  promised  to  prevail  upon  her  father 
to  write  me  what  he  knew.  Gen.  Cleveland  visited  his 
daughter  near  Pontotoc  in  the  spring  of  '41,  but  I  was  un- 
luckily absent  from  Pontotoc  &  missed  seeing  him.  I 
however  wrote  him  at  length — &  not  long  since  he  sent 
me  quite  a  large  packet  by  private  hand  to  Pontotoc  &  a 
friend  of  mine  there  took  the  liberty  to  enclose  it  to 
Senator  Walker — and  it  has  somehow  or  other  miscar- 
ried. I  do  not  exactly  despair  altogether,  but  it  being 
seven  weeks  ago,  I  confess  I  have  my  doubts.  I  had 
submitted  some  doubtful  points  to  General  Cleveland — 
one  I  recollect  was  a  romantic  story  told  me  by  a  Mr. 
Portman,  who  knew  Col.  Cleveland  on  Tugalo.  It  was 
in  substance  this:  A  gentlemanly  person  had,  near  the 
close  of  the  Revolution,  put  in  for  the  night  with  Col. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  73 

Cleveland.  On  the  leave  taking  the  next  morning  the  Col. 
affected  to  suspect  him  a  Tory,  took  from  him  a  noble 
horse  &  tagged  him  Andy.  As  the  story  goes — the  man, 
who  resided  somewhere  in  the  Eastern  part  of  the  State, 
was  a  good  Whig,  a  man  of  some  note  and  prominence 
&  of  course  took  umbrage  at  the  treatment  he  received  at 
the  hands  of  Col.  Cleveland — but  there  was  then  no  help 
for  it.  When  the  Col.  settled  on  Tugalo,  which  I  should 
suppose  was  in  1786  (and  I  judge  from  the  fact  that  Haw- 
kins, Pickens  and  your  father  made  three  several  treat- 
ies in  Nov.  1785  &  Jan.  1786)  this  ill  treated  stranger 
paid  him  a  visit  incognito,  professed  a  desire  to  purchase 
some  wild  land  belonging  to  the  Colonel  some  3  or  4 
miles  off.  The  Col.  not  recognizing  the  man,  went  on 
horseback  to  show  it  to  him.  When  there  the  stranger 
unmasked  his  real  character,  drew  a  pair  of  pistols,  or- 
dered the  affrighted  Colonel,  unarmed  as  he  was,  to  "Say 
his  prayers"  before  entering  eternity — the  Colonel  all  the 
while  begging  for  his  life,  yet  the  man  thus  kept  tanta- 
lizing him  for  some  time — until  finally  he  made  the  old 
Colonel  lay  flat  upon  his  back  &  fastened  his  limbs  to 
convenient  saplings,  &  thus  left  him — taking  good  care, 
however,  to  take  with  him  his  identical  horse  filched  from 
him  by  Colonel  Cleveland,  &  which  the  Colonel  had  rid- 
den on  this  occasion.  This  occurrence  said  my  informant, 
took  place  in  sultry  summer  weather,  &  for  three  days 
the  Colonel  was  exposed  to  the  scorching  rays  of  the 
sun  by  day  &  to  the  chilling  damp  by  night,  before  his 
alarmed  friends  and  neighbors  found  and  relieved  him. 
The  fact  that  Col.  Cleveland  acquired,  as  you  and  others 
have  told  me,  much  of  his  property  by  the  system  of 
plunder  so  prevalent  at  that  day  has  led  me  to  suspect 
that  there  might  be  some  truth  in  this  story.  The  other 
old  Tugalo  men  with  whom  I  conversed  about  it  thought 
the  same,  &  yet  none  of  them  had  ever  heard  of  it  be- 
fore. And  Dr.  Miller  and  his  lady  were  pretty  strongly 
of  this  opinion.  As  a  matter  of  course  Cleveland  himself 
would  not  care  to  tell  a  story  of  that  kind,  certainly  not 
very  creditable  to  him.  I  speak  of  it  to  you  and  ask  you 
to  comment  upon  it. 

One  other  matter — &  perhaps  more  than  one  be- 
fore I  get  through  with  Col.  Cleveland.  You  spoke  of  his 
boys  hanging  a  Tory — this  reminds  me  of  a  story  I  read 
some  three  or  four  years  ago  in  a  newspaper,  purport- 
ing to  be  an  anecdote  related  by  a  Mr.  Jones  of  Rowan 
Co.,  North  Carolina,  in  the  Legislature  of  that  State,     I 


74  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

will  here  give  it  you  from  memory — I  have  the  clipped 
newspaper  account  so  snugly  laid  away  that  I  can't  just 
now  lay  my  hands  upon  it.  A  Colonel  John  Cleveland, 
a  King's  Mountain  man,  had  captured  a  notorious  Tory 
&  with  the  aid  of  a  servant  or  two,  took  him  to  a  sap- 
ling by  a  neighboring  hillside,  fastened  the  culprit  to  it, 
and  attempted  to  give  the  word  to  the  negroes  to  swing 
him  off — but  being  afflicted  with  stammering,  was  some 
time  before  he  got  it  out,  &  at  last  broke  out  with  an 
oath  "to  give  it  to  him,,,  or  something  to  that  effect,  for 
the  precise  language  I  cannot  just  now  recall.  Could 
this  have  referred  to  Col.  Ben.  Cleveland — or  "Devil 
John?" — were  either  of  them  habitually  or  occasionally 
afflicted  with  stammering?  This  Mr.  Jones  who  told  the 
story  in  debate  in  the  North  Carolina  Legislature — per- 
haps the  celebrated  Jo.  Seawell  Jones — conveyed  the 
idea,  at  least  inferentially,  that  the  Cleveland  in  ques- 
tion was  of  King's  Mountain.  I  am  aware,  however, 
that  the  old  Colonel  had  some  of  his  brothers  with  him — 
perhaps  the  reverend  John — &  perhaps,  too,  Young  John 
was  there.  Can  you  throw  any  light  upon  this  affair? 
Another  matter.  You  remark  that  Colonel  C.  did  not 
take  much  part  in  the  Revolution  until  the  fall  of  1780, 
except  perhaps  "an  Indian  campaign  or  so."  About  this 
"Indian  campaign  or  so"  I  would  right  well  like  to  know 
something. 

Per  adventure  he  went  out  with  General  Rutherford, 
who  raised  a  large  force  in  the  neighborhood  of  Salis- 
bury, N.  C,  and  penetrated  the  Cherokee  country  in 
1776.  See  Haywood,  page  54.  And  if  he  went  with 
Rutherford,  then  the  question  follows,  in  what  capacity? 
And  the  varied  dates  I  have  had  from  different  persons 
as  to  the  time  of  Colonel  Cleveland's  death  I  had  placed 
the  most  reliance  on  what  Major  Thurmond  told  me — 
that  it  was  in  the  autumn  of  1806. 

I  forgot  in  the  proper  place  to  ask  of  you  a  descrip- 
tion of  Eaton's  or  Heaton's  station  as  you  saw  it  three  or 
four  years  after  the  Island  Flat  battle.  Such  a  descrip- 
tion will  prove  both  interesting  and  useful  to  me,  and 
while  the  thought  is  in  my  mind,  I  will  add,  that  when  I 
visit  you,  we  will  try  and  make  a  rough  map  of  the  posi- 
tion of  the  old  forts,  stations,  and  settlements,  as  they 
were  during  the  old  Cherokee  wars. 

POINT  PLEASANT  BATTLE,  1774.  I  feel  pretty 
confident  you  have  some  wrong  impressions  respecting 
this  battle.  You  seem  to  think  that  after  Gen.  Andrew 
Lewis  and  his  brother  Col.  Charles  Lewis,  who  was  killed 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  75 

in  an  action,  there  were  no  officers  engaged  of  higher 
grade  than  captains.  Col.  John  Field  was  killed  at  the 
head  of  his  volunteer  regiment,  and  Col.  William  Flem- 
ing was  sadly  wounded  at  the  head  of  his.  I  have  two 
lengthy  and  minute  letters  written  just  after  the  battle — 
one  by  Isaac  Shelby,  the  other  by  Col.  William  Preston 
(the  latter  was  not  in  the  action,  but  obtained  his  infor- 
mation from  Col.  Christian  and  others  on  the  expedition) 
and  both  warned  me  in  making  this  statement.  I  am 
aware  that  Col.  Christian  did  not  reach  the  battleground 
till  the  midnight  succeeding  the  battle.  Another  view 
of  yours  has  puzzled  me  somewhat — that  Gen.  Lewis 
was  blamed  for  keeping  a  large  portion  of  his  men  in 
camp — and  only  three  hundred  were  permitted  to  go 
forth  to  battle,  and  no  reinforcements  save  five  who  dis- 
obeyed orders.  I  feel  safe  in  saying  that  Col.  John  Fields 
and  his  whole  regiment,  of  nine  companies  and  near  three 
hundred  men,  reinforced  Col.  Charles  Lewis,  who  had 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  Col.  Win.  Fleming,  who 
had  one  hundred  and  fifty  more — so  there  could  not,  by 
any  calculation  I  can  make  from  all  the  lights  before  me, 
have  been  less  than  six  hundred  men  in  the  engagement, 
and  probably  near  seven  hundred,  for  I  find  some  three 
captain's  companies  engaged  with  (out)  being  enumerat- 
ed or  belonging  to  either  of  the  three  regiments  in  the  ac- 
tion. In  round  numbers  General  Lewis'  army  consisted 
of  1100  men,  and  probably  400  were  fortifying  the  camp 
and  certainly  not  over  500;  but  I  do  not  feel  altogether 
certain  that  he  was  justified  in  keeping  so  many  men  in 
camp  as  four  hundred  even,  while  so  fierce  and  doubtful 
a  battle  was  raging  around  them.  One  other  matter. 
Shelby's  old  letter  distinctly  states,  that  two  of  Captain 
Russell's  company  first  discovered  the  enemy.  One  was 
killed,  and  in  a  few  minutes  two  of  Evan  Shelby's  com- 
pany, James  Robertson  &  Valentine  Sevier,  came  run- 
ning in  and  corroberated  what  Russell's  man  had  stated. 
Does  this  tally  with  Dr.  Felix  Robertson's  recollection  of 
his  father's  version  ?  I  have  another  proof  that  Val.  Se- 
vier was  the  person  with  Robertson,  other  than  Shelby's 
old  letter;  and  certain  it  is,  that  Sevier  was  not  killed  on 
that  occasion.  You  must  make  a  desperate  effort  to  co- 
incide in  this  view  of  the  matter — so  much  for  Point 
Pleasant. 

YOUR  FATHER'S  SERVICE  IN  1774.  At  my  re- 
quest your  brother  has  sent  me  a  couple  of  brief  letters 
from  Wm.  Preston,  dated  respectively  12th  Oct.  1774,  & 


76  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

4th.  Nov.  following,  and  directed  to  "Captain  Joseph 
Martin/'  at  Culberson's.  I  herewith  send  you  copies.  I 
am  puzzled  with  them — Preston,  I  dare  say,  had  the 
military  jurisdiction — County  Lieutenant  most  likely — 
writes  your  father  as  Captain  Martin  and  his  commission 
as  such  was  dated  the  preceding  August,  yet  these  let- 
ters show  that  your  father  was  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Penn.  I  am  thinking  Penn's  company  was  in 
"the  fort"  alluded  to — that  your  father  was  mostly  out 
with  the  scouting  party — not  an  entire  company,  and 
probably  not  any  part  of  Penn's  company,  but  a  District 
squad  or  party  of  his  own ;  and  yet  towards  the  close  of 
the  campaign  in  October — Preston  orders  the  Scouts,  who 
had  evidently  until  then,  been  under  the  orders  of  their 
respective  leaders,  to  be  "under  the  Direction  of  Penn." 
And  what  strengthens  me  in  this  opinion  is  the  decisive 
wording  of  the  second  paragraph  of  Preston's  letter  of 
12th  Oct.,  1774 — in  which  Preston  speaks  gratifyingly 
of  the  "several  long  fatiguing"  scouts  with  your  men. 
Let  me  have  your  views  of  these  matters.  Who  was  this 
Capt.  Penn — What  was  the  name  of  the  fort  spoken  of? 
What  "pass"  was  alluded  to? 

COL.  ARTHUR  CAMPBELL.  I  could  wish  your 
opinion  of  Col.  Campbell's  private  character  was  differ- 
ent from  what  it  is — you  seem  impressed  with  the  idea 
he  was  mercenary-swindling-dishonorable.  I  am  fully 
aware  that  Col.  C.  had  one  great  defect — a  slackness  in 
paying  his  debts.  This  very  naturally  made  him  not  a 
few  enemies.  His  character,  you  know,  was  of  the  se- 
vere, haughty,  austere  cast — little  disposed  to  make  com- 
promises with  any  one — not  only  exercising  great  sever- 
ity towards  the  Tories  in  the  Revolution,  but  also  towards 
the  Whigs  who  were  disposed  to  plunder.  This  course 
made  him  vindictive  enemies  on  both  sides  who  were 
untiring  in  traducing  him.  Besides,  he  was  unhappily 
very  passionate — often  got  involved  in  trifling  quarrels 
(I  have  one  in  my  mind's  view  just  now,  with  Col.  John 
Floyd,  a  distinguished  Ky.  Pioneer,  which  occurred  at 
Williamsburg,  in  '76)  &  in  these  quarrels  these  traducing 
whisperings  would  be  dropped  in  the  ear  of  his  adver- 
sary and  thus  these  unfortunate  little  slanders  would  be 
borne  on  the  wings  of  the  wind.  I  cannot  but  think  that 
I  ought,  from  these  causes,  to  make  great  allowance  for 
these  traditionary  impressions — &  I  heard  of  them  long 
before  I  ever  received  your  first  letter  even.  Sixty  years 
have  now  passed  away  since  their  occurrence  &  I  beg 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  77 

you  will  not  think  me  doing  wrong  if  I  throw  the  man- 
tle of  charity  over  these  errors  and  defects  of  Arthur 
Campbell's  character.  Though  his  services  were  not  so 
brilliant  as  William  Campbell's  yet  I  cannot  but  place 
quite  a  high  estimate  upon  them,  commencing,  as  they 
did,  in  the  old  French  war  of  '56,  &  extending  to  the 
close  of  the  Revolution.  These  old  frontiersmen  had 
many  obstacles  to  encounter,  unnumbered  toils  and  suffer- 
ings to  endure,  &  if  I  must  err  "the  milk  of  human  kind- 
ness" will  prompt  me  rather  to  add  than  pluck  one  soli- 
tary laurel  from  their  brows  and  will  you  blame  me  ? 

Now  for  a  perfect  medley  of  inquiries — &  I  make 
them,  as  I  have  all  the  preceding  ones  in  this  hurried 
communication,  with  the  hope  and  supposition  that  you 
recover  from  the  affliction  of  your  eyes — otherwise  you 
must  let  them  all  pass  unnoticed.  You  have  done  so 
much  for  me,  it  would  be  unkind  in  me  to  ask  more,  ex- 
cept your  health  and  love  for  these  matters,  prompt  you 
irresistibly  to  volunteer — 

1.  Did  Col.  William  Campbell,  or  Col.  Arthur 
Campbell — or  both  remain  on  Long  Island  of  Holston  3 
months  after  the  campaign  of  '81,  as  intimated  by  Hay- 
wood on  page  98  ? 

2.  Was  the  Col.  Hord  mentioned  on  the  159th.  page 
of  the  same  work  your  father's  old  friend  of  that  name  ? 

3.  What  was  the  character  of  William  Cocke's  Ju- 
dicial malfeasance,  to  which  you  made  allusion  ? 

4.  Was  the  Jesse  Walton  who  was  with  Cleveland 
in  his  trip  to  Kentucky,  the  same  person  of  that  name 
who  was  a  major  under  Sevier  in  some  of  his  Indian  cam- 
paigns ? 

5.  Have  (you)  any  knowledge  of  Col.  John  Car- 
ter, the  brother  of  Col.  Landon  Carter?  The  son  of  the 
latter,  the  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Carter,  promised  me  near  three 
years  ago  some  sketches  of  these  two  brothers,  but  for 
some  reason  has  never  done  so,  though  more  than  once 
kindly  reminded  of  it.  Do  you  know  anything  of  Major 
Jonathan  Tipton  &  Major  James  Hubbard,  who  served 
in  the  Indian  wars  under  Sevier?  or  Col.  Jacob  Brown, 
or  Major  Jacob  Womack,  or  Col.  Charles  Robinson?  Well 
I  think  this  must  do  this  time — as  I  made  some  singular 
inquiries  in  my  last. 

If  your  health  will  not  permit  you  to    write    me    at 
length,  I  shall  nevertheless  be  anxious  to  hear  from  you 


78  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

and  beg  neither  you  nor  my  friend  Wilson  will  forget  me. 
As  you  have  suggested  so  pleasantly  the  idea  of  your  yet 
being  my  uncle-in-law,  you  must  not  get  out  of  patience 
with  me  even  should  I  Uncle  you  half  to  death.  Never 
mind  I'll  try  and  be  generous.  The  goodness  of  your 
heart  that  prompted  so  happy  a  suggestion,  calls  for  my 
unbounded  gratitude, — a  Virginia  Companion — a  baked 
yam  and  a  glorious  cup  of  coffee  for  supper  (I'm  Anti- 
tea  anyway  you  can  fix  it)  is  certainly  the  height  of  my 
ambition  the  inmost  limit  of  my  worldly  wishes.  I  must 
say,  my  aged  brother,  that  as  much  of  a  recluse  as  I  am, 
&  aside  from  all  pleasantry,  I  should  be  more  than  half 
disDOsed  to  wed,  IF  SOME  KIND  HEARTED  BEING 
WOULD  ONLY  CLAIM  ME  AS  HER  OWN.  But  ah  me, 
the  sight  of  a  girl  even  well  nigh  affrights  me  out  of  my 
senses  &  with  much  timidity  (&  the  secret  I  apprehend, 
of  all  this  timidity  is,  I  never  had  any  sisters)  pray  tell 
me,  how  can  I  possibly  avoid  the  bachelor's  fate  ? 

With  my  prayers  for  your  restoration  to  health  & 
that  true  happiness  may  ever  be  yours,  I  close  by  sub- 
scribing myself. 

Your  obliged  friend  &  Christian  brother, 

LYMAN  C.  DRAPER 


V. 

LETTERS  BY  CHRISTIAN  TO  DRAPER 

The  following  letters  were  written  to  Lyman  C. 
Draper,  the  historian,  by  George  Christian,  son  o±  Colonel 
Gilbert  Christian.  They  throw  an  interesting  light  on 
the  settlement  and  early  history  of  East  Tennessee. 

Livingston  24th,  June  1842. 
Lyman  C.  Draper,  Esqr. 

D.  Sir,  your  letter  of  the  24th  ult.  was  rec'd  through 
the  Hon.  William  B.  Campbell,  asking  of  me  such  infor- 
mation as  I  may  possess  in  relation  to  my  father,  Col. 
Gilbert  Christian  who  died  at  Knoxville  on  his  return 
from  Hightower  Campaign  in  1793,  (which  is  the  true 
date.) 

My  father  Gilbert  Christian  was  a  native  of  the 
State  of  Virginia,  born  and  raised  in  Augusta  county 
about  the  year  of  1723-4,  and  was  the  son  of  Robert 
Christian,  there  were  two  other  brothers,  John  and  Wil- 
liam. All  three  settled  on  Christian  creek,  which  took  its 
name  from  the  three  brothers.  They  were  the  first  set- 
tlers of  that  country.  Each  one  of  the  old  men  had  a 
son  Gilbert,  which  was  the  name  of  my  great  grand 
father.  Uncle  William  Christian  was  the  youngest  of 
the  three  old  men,  and  I  always  understood  one  of  the 
most  successful  Indian  lighters  of  his  day  in  that  part  of 
the  country.  Under  him,  ray  father  got  his  training  for 
Indian  warfare,  and  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the 
many  adventures  of  those  men  of  the  early  days  of  our 
back  settlements,  would  require  more  space  than  could 
be  comprised  in  a  letter. 

Suffice  to  say  that  when  mischief  was  done  old  Capt. 
Christian  was  uniformly  called  on. 

My  father  moved  from  the  place  of  his  nativity  in 
Virginia,  to  the  western  country  in  1774  and  settled  per- 
manently at  the  Long  Island  of  Holston.  The  Cherokees 
at  this  time  were  at  peace  tho  the  Shawnees  on  the  set- 
tlement on  Clinch  which  lay  north  of  us  were  very 
troublesome.  My  father  from  his  acquaintance  with  In- 
dian fighting  was  almost  continually  kept  from  home.  At 
this  time  the  settlement  where  we  lived  were  very  weak, 
and  few  men  trained  to  war,  and  here  I  will  mention  some 


80  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

of  the  most  distinguished  characters,  the  Shelby  family. 
The  old  General  had  four  sons,  Isaac,  James,  Evan  and 
Moses.  Tho  they  were  all  brave  men  yet  Isaac  the  eldest 
of  the  four,  afterwards  Governor  of  Kentucky  and  per- 
haps was  one  of  the  most  popular  men  of  his  day.  An- 
thony and  Isaac  Bledsoe  were  brothers.  John  Anderson, 
several  of  the  Looney  family.  Those  were  the  most  promi- 
nent men  of  the  first  pioneers  of  our  country  in  that  quar- 
ter, and  who  stood  the  brunt  of  all  the  wars. 

The  two  Bledsoe  brothers  removed  to  Sumner  coun- 
ty at  Bledsoe  Lick  where  they  both  were  killed  by  Indians 
near  the  latter  part  of  the  war ;  likewise  two  of  the  Shel- 
bys, James  and  Evan  lost  their  lives  by  the  Indians,  and 
altho  we  were  in  a  very  exposed  situation  in  our  first  set- 
tling, no  block  house,  no  fort,  or  anything  sufficient  to 
secure  us  from  attack,  and  although  the  Indians  on 
several  occasions  passed  us,  murdered  families  further  in 
the  settlement,  it  was  our  good  fortune  to  escape.  But 
at  the  breaking  of  the  Cherokees  in  1775-6  the  frontier 
settlement  broke  up  and  either  returned  to  the  old  set- 
tlement or  else  went  into  Forts.  My  father,  after  con- 
veying the  family  out  of  danger  and  leaving  them,  re- 
turned to  join  the  little  army  which  had  been  collected 
at  Eatons  Station,  consisting  of  three  or  four  companies 
commanded  by  Capt.  Campbell,  Shelby  and  Cock,  the 
others  not  recollected,  but  on  the  day  before  my  father 
reached  the  Station,  certain  information  was  brought 
stating  the  Indians  had  concentrated  all  their  forces  and 
was  marching  directly  on  the  station,  on  which  a  council 
was  held  by  the  Officers,  and  it  was  agreed  there  being 
a  great  many  children  and  women  in  the  fort,  that  the 
men  with  the  exception  of  a  few  to  guard  the  fort  should 
sally  forth  and  meet  the  enemy  outside.  After  proceed- 
ing some  four  or  five  miles,  the  Indians  were  seen  advanc- 
ing in  great  force.  Our  men,  a  great  many  of  them  not 
being  used  to  Indians,  took  fright  at  first  and  ran,  and  by 
something  that  occured  and  not  being  shot,  took  up  heart, 
rallied  and  engaged  the  Indians  so  effectually  that  they 
soon  put  them  to  flight,  leaving  a  great  number  of  their 
warriors  dead  on  the  ground,  gaining  a  complete  victory. 
This  happened  in  July.  In  the  Autumn  of  the  same  year, 
Col.  Wm.  Christian  was  ordered  to  take  the  command  of 
an  army  and  proceed  to  the  Cherokee  country  and  lay 
waste  to  their  towns.  My  father  joined  this  army  under 
Col.  Wm.  Christian  and  proceeded  to  the  Cherokee  Towns 
on  the  Tennessee  which  they  destroyed,  and  not  finding 
any  Indians  to  fight,  returned  home  leaving  a  Garrison  at 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  81 

Long  Island.  Shortly  afterwards  the  Cherokees  sued  for 
peace,  and  the  treaty  was  held  on  the  Island  near  the 
fort.  This  was  in  1777-8.  This  peace  was  of  short  dura- 
tion, and  the  British  at  this  time  were  making  advances 
through  Carolina,  and  it  was  feared  they  would  attempt 
to  cross  the  mountain,  upon  which  Col.  Campbell,  Col. 
Shelby  and  Col.  Sevier  collected  what  of  the  militia  could 
be  spared,  proceeded  without  delay  across  the  mountain 
and  through  Carolina  to  King  Mountain,  where  they 
found  Maj.  Ferguson  who  had  taken  advantageous  posi- 
tion on  top  of  the  Mountain  with  a  band  of  British  Regu- 
lars, aided  by  some  hundreds  of  Tories — whom  they  en- 
countered and  defeated,  killing  and  taking  prisoners 
nearly  every  man.  In  this  battle  my  father  commanded 
a  company  under  Col.  Sevier.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
in  those  days  captains  wore  no  apperlettes,  carried  rifles, 
and  knew  how  to  use  them.  But  to  give  any  kind  of  a 
detailed  account  of  the  many  incidents  and  campaigns 
my  father  and  others,  which  I  named,  were  engaged 
would  fill  a  volume — suffice  to  say,  within  the  recollec- 
tions there  has  been  no  less  than  five  campaigns  carried 
against  Cherokees  in  all  in  which  my  father  acted  a  con- 
spicuous part. 

About  the  year  1787  or  88,  an  occurence  happened 
which  very  much  disturbed  the  peace  of  the  inhabitants, 
which  was  occasioned  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of 
North  Carolina  in  which  this  country  was  seceded  to 
Congress  for  the  benefit  of  the  General  Government,  but 
Congress  not  liking  the  terms  did  not  accept  it.  Where- 
upon the  people  being  left  without  a  Government,  the 
leading  men,  or  the  people  through  them  proceeded  to 
call  a  convention,  form  a  constitution,  and  organized  a 
Government  accordingly,  elected  Representatives  and  met 
in  General  Assembly.  But  some  discontented  men  who 
thought  they  had  been  overlooked,  prayed  to  be  taken 
again  under  the  old  Government.  This  occasioned  con- 
siderable disturbances — all  the  discontented  joining  the 
old  State  party,  while  those  in  office  under  the  new  State 
not  willing  to  yield,  the  contest  for  a  time  was  hot,  and 
some  blood  shed  in  the  strife.  North  Carolina  in  the 
meantime  repealed  the  cession  act — finally  the  new  State 
party  had  to  yield.  This  new  State  was  named  Franklin, 
in  honor  of  Benjamin  Franklin. 

In  all  this  strife  father  and  Sevier  took  an  active  part 
with  the  new  State  party.  Sevier  was  elected  Governor, 
my  father  was  a  member  of  the  Convention,  I  think,  and 


82  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

of  the  General  Assembly,  but  the  failure  of  the  new  state 
party  reduced  them  all  to  the  ranks.  This  state  though 
was  of  short  duration.  North  Carolina  made  a  cession 
of  the  country  which  was  accepted  by  Congress,  and  we 
became  a  Territorial  Government  of  which  the  late  Gov- 
ernor Sevier  was  appointed  delegate  to  Congress.  My 
father  was  made  Col.  Commandant  of  the  county,  and 
nearly  all  the  offices  were  filled  by  the  new  State  party. 
My  father  held  the  rank  of  Col.  until  his  death.  Sevier 
was  elected  Governor  of  Tennessee.  (William  Blount 
was  appointed  Governor  over  the  Territory.) 

The  settlement  commenced  in  Miro  District  about 
1780.  Col.  James  Robertson,  I  believe  was  considered  a 
leader  at  this  time,  tho  there  was  a  goodly  number  of 
others  well  qualified  to  form  a  respectable  society.  The 
Donilson  family,  R.  Weakly,  Sampson  Williams,  some  of 
the  Shelbies  were  among  the  first  settlers.  Separated  by 
a  wide  wilderness  from  the  old  settlement,  required  con- 
siderable nerve  to  sustain  themselves,  but  they  weather- 
ed the  storm,  notwithstanding  so  many  of  the  first  adven- 
turers lost  their  lives  by  the  savage  foe. 

The  Cherokees  seldom  took  prisoners,  their  aim  be- 
ing to  exterminate.  I  shall  conclude  with  little  hope  that 
you  will  have  patience  to  read  what  I  have  written.  My 
only  aim  was  to  state  facts  as  they  occured,  and  if  they 
are  of  any  interest  whatever,  you  are  at  liberty  to  use 
them  as  you  may  think  proper. 

I  am,  Sir  with 

Much  respect,  Yours, 
GEORGE  CHRISTIAN 
Addressed : 

Lyman  C.  Draper,  Esqr.,  near  Pontotoc,  Miss. 
Endorsed :  Col.  Gilbert  Christian — the  Shelbies,  etc.  From 
Col.  G.  Christian,  24  June,  1842.    No.  I. 

At  Home,  4th  Dec,  1842 
Lyman  Draper,  Esqr. 

Dr.  Sir,  Yours  of  the  24th  September  has  been  rec'd 
through  the  politeness  of  the  Hon.  William  B.  Campbell 
and  is  now  before  me. 

It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  indeed  could  I  have 
it  in  my  power  to  furnish  anything  in  addition  to  what 
has  become  matter  of  history,  particularly  as  relative  to 
the  early  settlement  of  our  State. 

But  believing  your  object  to  be  more  with  a  view 
to  obtain  matters  of  fact  than  anything  else,  and  hoping 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  83 

at  the  same  time  your  good  sense  will  excuse  my  inaccu- 
racy, as  doubtless  you  will  find  many,  I  shall  proceed  to 
furnish  you  with  all  the  information  in  my  power  on  the 
subject  in  question. 

Now  as  respects  the  adventure  of  Captain  William 
Christian  of  Augusta,  Virginia,  I  can  state  what  has  come 
to  me  by  tradition,  or  at  least  in  part — I  suppose  the 
reason  that  ex-Governor  Campbell  has  referred  you  to 
Gilbert  Christian,  instead  of  William  Christian,  may  have 
been  because  Gilbert  was  longer  in  service  and  more 
known  as  a  public  man  than  his  uncle  William.  I  know 
no  work  which  would  furnish  the  information  required 
respecting  this  border  warfare,  nor  have  it  in  my  power 
to  furnish  dates  with  any  degree  of  accuracy — though 
I  can  vouch  for  the  facts  stated  as  to  date.  In  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  old  French  war  a  party  of  Indians  under 
the  celebrated  chief  called  Cap  Dickenson  (?)  with  a 
party  of  12  or  15  warriors  fell  in  upon  the  Frontiers  of 
Augusta,  Va.,  killed  old  Mr.  Trimble,  made  prisoners  of 
the  daughter,  a  son  of  14  or  15  years  old,  and  a  mulatto 
boy,  and  having  done  further  outrages  in  the  neighbor-* 
hood,  made  off  with  the  booty,  upon  which  Uncle  William 
with  a  chosen  band  of  young  men,  on  hearing  what  had 
happened,  repaired  to  the  spot  where  the  scene  had  been 
acted,  where  they  took  the  trail  of  the  Indians  pursuing 
them  across  the  mountains.  The  Indians  had  some  days 
start,  which  was  always  allowed  them  purposely  as  the 
most  certain  way  of  taking  them  by  surprise  in  order  that 
they  might  save  the  prisoners.  It  was  in  the  afternoon 
they  were  overtaken.  Our  party  had  proceeded  with  all 
possible  precaution,  so  as  not  to  be  discovered,  so  that 
when  they  came  on  them,  they  were  camped  on  a  level 
spot  surrounded  with  a  tolerable  thick  undergrowth.  The 
Indians  had  unpacked  their  horses,  for  they  had  several 
loaded  with  the  spoils  they  had  taken.  Except  for  the 
few  left  to  guard  the  prisoners  they  all  had  turned  out 
to  hunt,  which  undoubtedly  saved  the  lives  of  some  of 
them. 

But  our  men  acted  for  the  best,  which  was  to  sur- 
round the  encampment  with  as  much  secrecy  as  possible, 
which  they  effected  undiscovered,  but  while  they  were 
lying  in  wait  for  the  return  of  the  hunters,  an  Indian  lad, 
a  son  of  the  chief,  came  riding  in  with  a  deer  which  they 
had  killed,  and  riding  immediately  up  to  where  one  of 
the  men  was  posted,  on  finding  he  must  give  the  alarm, 
shot  down  the  boy,  upon  which  our  men  fired  on  the 


84  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

guard  at  the  camp,  killing  or  wounding  what  few  of  them 
was  there,  and  so  sudden  was  the  surprise  that  the  pris- 
oners were  all  recovered  safe  except  the  mulatto  boy  who 
had  been  mistaken  for  an  Indian  by  one  of  the  men  and 
shot  through  the  arm — the  fray  being  over,  old  Christian 
and  his  men  being  at  this  time  hungry  and  fatigued,  con- 
cluded to  remain  at  the  Indian  camp  for  the  night,  and 
having  in  good  time  gotten  the  Indian  boy's  deer  made 
a  plentiful  supper — but  on  the  next  morning  2  or  3  of  the 
men  went  out  to  look  at  the  Indian  boy  which  had  been 
shot  off  his  horse,  and  while  one  of  the  men  stooped  to 
look  at  the  boy,  an  Indian,  said  to  be  the  father  of  the 
boy,  had  concealed  himself  for  the  purpose,  fired  on  the 
man,  whose  name  was  Rutledge,  shot  him  through  the 
body,  and  ran  away  out  of  the  sight  of  his  pursuers.  Rut- 
ledge  was  carried  to  the  station,  where  he  received  timely 
aid  by  a  skillful  physician  (Dr.  Fleming)  and  recovered. 
I  will  here  relate  another    adventure    of    old    Cap. 
Christian  for  which  he  was  much  applauded.  It  was  prob- 
ably in  the  year  preceding    Braddock's    campaign — the 
Indians  had  become  so  troublesome  on  the  frontiers  that 
militia  companies  were  kept  on  duty  constantly.    At  this 
time  Cap.  George  Moffit  of  Augusta,  Va.,   (a  cousin  of 
father)   who  commanded  a  company  on  duty  being  in- 
formed of  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  near  at  hand  march- 
ed at  the  head  of  his  company  against  them.     The  two 
companies  met  being  nearly    equal    strength,    some    65 
strong  on  either  side.     But  after  a  severe  fight  and  af- 
ter losing  a  number  of  his  men,  Moffit  was  completely 
defeated,  himself  narrowly  escaping  by  sinking  himself 
in  a  creek.     This  victory  served  to  inspire  the  savages 
with  fresh  courage,  and  while  they  were    disposing    of 
their  wounded  and  collecting  their  scattered  warriors — 
old  Cap.  Christian  on  hearing  of  the  defeat  of  Moffit  lost 
no  time  collecting  together  his  company  of  picked  war- 
riors— the  Indians  had  time  to  retreat  after  their  fight 
with  Moffit,  but  seemed  in  no  hurry  to  retreat  further 
than  to  procure  more  provisions.     But  before  they  were 
apprized  of  their  danger,  old  Christian  was  on  them  with 
his  warriors.     As  it  was  intended,  one  of  the  lines  dis- 
charged their  guns  upon  the  enemy,  on  which  they  flew 
to  their  guns,  taking  trees  on  the  opposite  side,  when  the 
men  in  the  rear  gave  them  a  deadly  fire.    This  threw  them 
in  some  confusion,  though  they  fought  like  tigers,  but  so 
completely  were  they  surrounded  and  so  deadly  was  our 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  85 

fire  that  in  a  few  minutes  they  were  almost  entirely  cut 
down.  So  complete  was  their  defeat  that  only  two  or 
three  reached  their  home. 

Father  was  an  officer  under  his  uncle,  Wm.,  in  all 
these  and  many  more  scrapes  of  a  like  nature  on  the 
frontiers  of  Augusta. 

Uncle  Wm.  commanded  a  company  at  the  battle  of 
Little  Meadows,  where  if  I  am  not  mistaken  Washington 
commanded — and  I  think  at  the  battle  of  the  Point,  as 
it  was  called,  under  Col.  Lewis  who  was  killed  at  this 
battle.  Father  was  under  Maj.  Evan  Shelby  in  that  bat- 
tle. 

Uncle  Wm.  Christian  performed  his  last  campaign  a 
Maj.  under  Col.  Wm.  Christian  against  the  Cherokees  in 
1776. 

My  recollection  of  the  battle  of  the  Point  is  very  im- 
perfect, tho  my  father  and  two  uncles,  Robert  Christian, 
and  George  Anderson,  were  in  this  battle,  also  Wm.  Mof- 
fit,  a  cousin  of  fathers,  who  was  killed  in  this  battle.  This 
battle  I  think  was  in  1774. 

With  respect  to  my  recollection  of  the  part  my 
father  took  on  the  Bird  Campaign,  my  father  command- 
ed a  company  on  that  campaign.  The  officers  under  him 
were  John  Sawyers,  John  or  William  Anderson,  which  I 
do  not  know,  for  both  were  in  the  company,  and  as  you 
are  informed  after  the  return  of  the  army,  built  a  cabin 
on  Reedy  creek  about  a  mile  above  the  junction  with  the 
Holston.  Those  who  formed  this  party  were  Father,  John 
Sawyers,  John  and  William  Anderson,  James  McNair, 
Robert  Christian,  and  Nathan  Page  later  joined  them  at 
the  cabin  all  winter  and  to  late  in  the  spring,  when  each 
made  an  improvement  on  Reedy  creek.  They  lost  all  this 
by  an  old  title  or  grant  made  to  Edmund  Pendleton  by  the 
British  crown. 

After  the  attempt  to  settle  on  Reedy  creek  the  next 
fall,  Father  in  company  with  7  or  8  others  set  out  from 
Augusta  with  a  view  to  exploring  Kentucky.  In  this  com- 
pany were  Uncle  Robert  Christian,  George  Anderson  and 
one  Hayes.  I  do  not  remember  the  names  of  the  others. 
This  party  were  well  furnished  for  a  long  trip. 

But  after  penetrating  into  the  wilderness  within  40 
or  50  miles  of  the  Crab  Orchard,  it  being  Sunday,  the 
whole  party  except  one  man  were  lying  at  camp,  when 
a  party  of  Indians  were  seen  approaching  their  camp 


86  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

The  Indians  14  in  number,  altho  they  made  signs  of 
friendship,  were  viewed  with  suspicion  by  our  party 
Father,  in  particular  objected  to  them  being  allowed  to 
advance  up  to  the  camp  and  the  men  instantly  took  trees 
determined  to  defend  themselves,  on  which  one  of  the  In- 
dians named  Tom  Benge,  (This  was  the  Tom  Benge 
prominent  among  the  Cherokees,  and  the  one  who  headed 
the  Cavett  Station  massacre,  when  a  thousand  Indians 
were  on  their  way  to  destroy  White  Station,  now  Knox- 

ville  in  the  year  of )  who  spoke  English  called  to 

our  people,  saying  they  were  friends  and  brothers  and 
that  they  were  Cherokees  with  whom  we  were  at  peace, 
by  which  the  wily  savages  obtained  an  advantage  which 
otherwise  might  have  resulted  in  his  defeat.  Our  men 
by  the  artifice  were  completely  outwitted  and  proposed 
the  Indians  be  allowed  to  advance.  Father  still  objected, 
but  was  overruled  by  the  party,  and  the  Indians  being  al- 
lowed to  advance  showed  great  friendship.  But  after 
smoking  and  eating  for  some  time,  Benge  stepped  up  to 
Father,  (who  sat  off  on  a  log  at  some  distance  with  his 
rifle  across  his  lap)  took  a  seat  by  him,  asking  him  at  the 
same  time  to  look  at  his  gun,  upon  which  Father  cautious- 
ly threw  out  the  priming,  handing  the  gun  to  the  Indian, 
who  after  examining  the  gun  for  some  time  bounded  to 
his  feet,  at  the  same  time  giving  a  signal,  presented  the 
gun  at  Fathers  breast  and  snapt  her,  and  the  Indians  as 
one  man  flew  at  our  men  with  their  tomahawks  and 
knives,  there  being  no  chance  to  use  the  guns,  when  a 
struggle  for  life  ensued.  There  being  two  Indians  to 
each  white  man,  the  scuffle  was  very  unequal,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  death  of  only  one  white  man,  one  Hayes. 
The  others  all  escaped  without  any  other  injury  than  the 
loss  of  everything  they  had  but  two  of  their  horses. 

Our  party  were  so  scattered  while  disengaging  them- 
selves from  the  Indians  that  they  were  several  days  in 
getting  together  which,  however,  they  effected  after  sev- 
eral days  travel.  There  being  snow  on  the  ground  and 
having  lost  their  blankets,  and  some  of  them  their  hunt- 
ing shirts,  pulled  off  in  the  scuffle,  they  suffered  incred- 
ibly, but  with  the  exception  of  Hayes  all  reached  home. 

At  another  time,  (whether  before  or  after  this  oc- 
currence I  have  just  related  I  am  unable  to  state,)  Father 
in  company  with  some  12  or  15  others,  set  out  from  Au- 
gusta with  the  intention  of  exploring  the  Mississippi  coun- 
try. This  party  was  well  furnished  with  pack  horses 
loaded  with  flour  and  other  necessaries  for  such  a  trip — 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  87 

the  settlement  at  that  time  had  been  extended  within  30 
or  40  miles  of  Long  Island,  which  leads  me  to  believe  to 
be  before  the  Bird  Campaign.  In  this  party  were  two 
or  three  Andersons,  William  and  George,  Robt.  Chris- 
tian, John  Sawyers,  and  perhaps  McNair,  the  others  not 
recollected. 

At  this  time  the  geography  was  imperfectly  known, 
so  much  so,  that  our  party  thought  by  taking  the  route 
down  the  Tennessee  they  could  travel  to  the  Mississippi 
without  any  material  obstruction,  but  to  their  astonish- 
ment when  they  reached  the  Clinch  river,  near  its  junc- 
tion with  the  Tennessee,  they  found  themselves  entirely 
disappointed.  This  was  early  in  the  spring  time,  I  know, 
from  the  circumstances  they  had  caught  two  buffaloes, 
calves,  which  they  had  succeeded  in  taming  by  feeding 
them  on  flour  mixed  with  water  and  had  them  to  follow 
like  dogs.  But  this  party  were  doomed  to  defeat  also, 
for  while  they  were  exploring  the  country  between  the 
Clinch  and  Tennessee,  they  were  met  by  some  60  Indians 
on  the  way  to  fight  the  Northern  Indians,  and  altho  they 
offered  no  other  violence  to  our  party  they  swapt  guns 
for  such  of  our  people  as  suited  them,  giving  them  old, 
useless  shot  guns.  Likewise  they  took  most  of  the  flour 
and  most  of  the  ammunition  our  people  had,  and  after 
taking  some  other  exchanges  departed,  leaving  our  folks 
to  prosecute  their  journey  (See  Geo.  Christian's  letter 
Aug.  25,  1853-L  C.  D.) 

In  answer  to  your  question  respecting  my  Father's 
age,  his  family,  etc.,  I  could  not  be  very  exact,  not  hav- 
ing the  old  family  register,  tho  I  believe  I  can  come  very 
near  the  correct  date.  Father  was  married  in  62  or  3  to 
Margaret  Anderson,  daughter  of  George  Anderson  of 
Middle  river,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.  There  were  four  brothers 
of  the  Andersons  (John,  James,  George,  and  William.) 
These  were  among  the  first  settlers  in  Augusta — they 
were  from  Pennsylvania,  their  native  State.  My  grand- 
father and  Uncles  lived  to  be  old  men,  leaving  behind 
them  a  numerous  posterity,  some  of  whom  I  presume  are 
in  Augusta  to  this  day.  The  Christian  family  lived  in 
Augusta  about  the  same  time  on  Christian  creek  of  which 
I  have  spoken  before.  My  Father's  brothers  were  John, 
Robert,  Israel,  and  Jacob,  the  two  latter  died  young,  and 
were  never  married.  Father  had  two  sisters,  Margaret 
and  Mary,  the  former  married  Uncle  William  Anderson, 
the  latter  married  Robert  Patterson.    My  two  uncles  and 


88  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

aunts  above  mentioned  all  lived  to  a  good  old  age  in  Au- 
gusta, leaving  behind  a  numerous  posterity. 

With  respects  to  the  relationship  between  Col.  Wm. 
Christian  who  commanded  the  Campaign  in  '76  against 
the  Cherokees  I  could  not  speak  with  any  degree  of  cer- 
tainty than  it  is  always  understood  they  were  from  the 
same  ancestry. 

I  think  from  what  I  can  find  out  since  I  wrote  you, 
Father  must  have  moved  to  Holston  in  72  or  3,  made  a 
temporary  settlement  on  the  waters  of  Reedy  Creek,  seven 
or  eight  miles  from  Holston  river  from  whence  he  re- 
moved in  the  Autumn  of  '75  to  Holston  river,  at  the  mouth 
of  Reedy  creek  opposite  the  Long  Island,  where  we  re- 
mained until  the  next  summer  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Cherokees.  At  this  time  they  were  five  children  of  us, 
one  daughter  the  oldest  of  us.  The  first  intimation  we 
had  of  the  approach  of  the  Indians  was  given  to  us  by 
a  trader  named,  I  think,  Ellis  Harlan.  At  this  time  the 
settlement  had  extended  some  distance  below  the  Long 
Island,  and  here  it  may  be  proper  to  observe  that  since 
I  rec'd  your  letter  I  have  conversed  with  an  old  man  in 
my  neighborhood  who  I  know  was  in  the  Island  battle, 
(Cornelius  Carmack).  Mr.  Carmack  has  convinced  me 
that  I  was  mistaken  in  the  time  of  the  battle.  He  says 
that  it  was  in  '76.  From  this  time  I  have  some  recollec- 
tion of  what  was  doing  in  this  country.  On  the  first  in- 
timation of  the  hostile  movements  of  the  Cherokees,  the 
frontiersmen  left  their  farms  and  collected  in  Stations  or 
in  some  cases  several  families  banded  together  for  mu- 
tual defense  as  was  the  case  with  us.  On  rec't  of  the 
intelligence  bro't  by  Mr.  Harlan  we  were  removed 
some  miles  to  James  Clendennin's  where  they  were  eight 
or  ten  families  collected  I  think  with  intent  to  build  a 
fort.  But  after  collecting  at  this  place  a  second  express 
arrived,  more  alarming  than  the  first.  I  think  it  was 
brought  by  Isaac  Thomas  who  had  been  a  trader  among 
the  Indians.  So  urgent  was  the  news  that  an  attack  was 
apprehended  for  that  same  evening.  It  was  thought  it 
would  begin  about  three  o'clock.  At  this  time  Father 
was  home  having  gone  to  the  farm.  Our  horses  all  in  the 
woods,  mother  had  a  brother  and  brother-in-law  in  com- 
pany. Her  brother  in  bad  health,  each  of  those  had  a 
wife  and  one  child.  The  scene  which  was  now  acted 
was  truly  interesting,  all  bustle  and  confusion,  no  com- 
mander, nobody  to  give  direction,  every  one  seemed  in- 
tent on  saving  their  own  lives.    There  must  have  been  at 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  89 

this  place  between  50  and  100  persons  altogether,  chiefly 
women  and  children.  But  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost, 
not  knowing  what  the  next  minute  we  would  be  saluted 
with  Savage  yells  or  report  of  their  guns. 

But  a  little  before  sunset  Mother  and  all  her  chil- 
dren were  all  mounted  and  on  the  road  for  the  interior. 
Mother  was  on  a  borrowed  nag,  but  as  luck  would  have 
it,  we  had  not  proceeded  more  than  a  mile  when  we 
were  met  by  an  Irishman  (one  Morrow)  mounted  on 
Mother's  riding  mare.  The  Irishman  quickly  dismount- 
ed and  Mother  was  safely  placed  on  her  favorite  filly. 
We  then  proceeded  at  a  rapid  pace  until  dark  closed  in, 
which  checked  our  progress,  but  we  were  flying  for  our 
life,  so  the  difficulty  was  encountered  cheerfully.  We 
must  have  traveled  some  15  miles  this  night.  Was  joined 
next  day  by  Father,  who  conveyed  us  some  forty  miles 
to  a  relation,  Mr.  Trimble,  where  he  left  us  and  returned 
to  Eaton,  not  Heaton,  as  Haywood  has  it,  any  way 
the  old  man  was  always  called  Amos  Eaton. 

From  Trimble's  Mother  with  her  brother  John  An- 
derson and  her  Brother-in-law,  Adam  Guthery,  proceeded 
to  Augusta  where  we  remained  until  the  Autumn  of  '78, 
when  Father,  who  had  stayed  on  the  Holston,  went  on 
with  a  wagon  and  brought  us  home.  The  journey  must 
have  been  in  June,  as  it  was  in  time  of  harvest.  With 
respect  to  the  battle,  I  have  some  recollection,  but  Mr. 
Carmack  was  an  eye  witness,  so  can  still  tell  more.  He 
says  there  were  five  companies  collected  at  the  fort,  com- 
manded by  Cap.  Thompson,  Edmonston,  Shelby  and 
Cock,  this  was  James  Shelby,  Carmack  thinks  Buchannan 
stayed  in  the  Fort  when  the  army  marched  out  to  meet 
the  enemy.  He  says  they  worked  all  night  preceding 
the  battle  setting  up  pickets. 

The  word  was  brot  on  the  evening  preceding  the 
Battle  by  the  spies  that  the  Indians  were  encampt  on  an 
upper  end  of  the  Island  a  distance  of  about  six  miles  from 
the  Fort.  Their  numbers  variously  estimated  supposed  to 
be  somewhere  between  500  &  1000.  Our  little  army  could 
not  have  exceeded  much  over  300  effective  men. 

It  seems  a  council  of  officers  were  called  to  deter- 
mine on  the  course  to  be  pursued.  Some  for  awaiting  the 
attack  of  the  enemy,  others  for  giving  them  Battle  out- 
side.   On  this  Occasion  Capt.  Cock  was  vehement,  swore 

no  man  but  a  d d  coward  would  think  of  remaining 

penned  up  in  the  Fort.    Eventually  it  seems  Cock's  coun- 


90  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

cil  prevailed — early  in  the  morn  our  little  army  sal- 
lied out  &  took  the  road  leading  to  the  Island — there  was 
a  high  ridge  to  cross  before  reaching  the  flats.  This  road 
keeps  along  the  main  top  of  the  ridge  near  three  miles. 
After  descending  on  the  opposite  side  from  the  Fort  com- 
mences the  flats,  or  as  it  is  called  the  Island  flats.  Our 
men  proceeded  after  reaching  the  Flats  perhaps  about 
two  miles  when  they  were  met  by  the  whole  Indian  Army, 
with  their  line  extended  making  as  much  show  as  pos- 
sible. 

No  sooner  were  our  men  discovered  by  the  enemy 
than  they  raised  the  savage  yell,  tomahawk  in  hand.  This 
sudden  charge  was  too  much.  Our  little  army  wheeled 
about  and  run,  but  still  keeping  rank,  and  after  retreating 
in  this  manner  perhaps  a  mile  &  half,  some  one  more 
courageous  than  the  rest  wheeled  &  flred  on  the  ad- 
vancing enemy,  which  induced  another  to  do  likewise, 
which  almost  instantly  brot  on  a  general  engagement. 
Our  men  extending  their  lines  to  the  right  &  left  gave 
the  enemy  Indian  play  by  taking  trees.  It  seems  Capt. 
Cock  at  this  time  at  the  head  of  his  company  aiming  as 
he  said  to  prevent  being  surrounded,  extended  his  line 
until  when  he  turned  to  see  what  had  become  of  his  men, 
behold  they  were  not  to  be  seen,  he  having  run  a  little 
too  fast  for  his  men,  or  what  was  thought  more  likely, 
ran  farther  than  the  men  chose  to  go  who  had  taken 
trees  &  fought  the  battle  out  manfully.  In  which,  how- 
ever, their  captain  did  not  participate,  he  on  finding  him- 
self some  distance  in  advance  of  his  men  on  the  retreat- 
ing side,  made  for  the  Fort. 

But  although  Cock  used  every  argument  in  his 
power  to  excuse  his  unofficer  like  conduct  on  this  oc- 
casion, he  was  ever  after  considered  a  coward,  nor  did 
he  ever  afterwards  perform  any  act  in  the  service  of  his 
country  calculated  to  make  a  different  impression. 

Immediately  after  this  battle  troops  were  collected 
&  marched  from  Virginia  &  North  Carolina  and  placed 
under  the  command  of  Col.  William  Christian,  as  you 
have  already  learned,  who  rendezvoused  at  or  opposite 
the  head  of  the  long  Island  where  they  built  a  fort. 

This  army  marched  into  the  Indian  country — but  of 
its  services  or  incidents  attending  it  I  need  say  but  little — 
Father  commanded  a  company  on  this  campaign.  Under 
him  was  John  Sawyer  &  I  think  John  Anderson. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  91 

The  peace  which  succeeded  this  campaign  was  of 
but  short  duration — as  I  think  they  commenced  hostili- 
ties in  '80  or  '81 — but  the  occurrence  to  which  you  have 
alluded  of  a  meeting  at  Patterson's  (not  Patten's  as 
Haywood  has  it)  and  Rice's  Mills  I  have  some  recollection 
of.  Those  Mills  were  the  only  mills  in  that  part  of  the 
country  at  this  time.  Patterson's  Mill  was  situated  about 
eight  miles  below  the  Island  near  Holston  River  on  a 
small  creek,  and  Rice's  Mill  three  miles  still  lower  down 
on  a  creek  emptying  into  the  river — the  former  seven 
miles  below  the  north  fork  where  Ross's  bridge  crosses 
the  same — Father  was  unquestionably  the  Gilbert  Chris- 
tian spoken  of  on  the  occasion  you  mention  of  meeting 
at  those  mills. 

In  the  spring  of  eighty  or  eighty  one,  (it  was  in  '79- — 
L.  C.  D.)  Evan  Shelby  sign  (senior)  commanded  on  a 
campaign  which  was  marched  in  canoes  dov/n  the  Holston 
&  Tennessee  to  the  Chicamoga  Towns  near  what  is  now 
Chattanooga.  I  think  Col.  Arthur  Campbell  command- 
ed some  troops  from  Va.  Col.  Charles  Roberson  com- 
manded a  Regiment  from  Washington  &  Father  those 
from  Sullivan,  this  time  a  Major. 

This  army  on  coming  in  view  of  the  Town  where 
they  landed,  seeing  a  newly  paled  garden  mistook  it 
for  a  stockade  Fort,  and  expecting  to  be  repulsed  when 
attempting  to  land — orders  were  immediately  given  by 
the  Commander  to  the  officer  in  front  (which  on  this  day 
was  Col.  Roberson)  to  land  his  canoes.  Campbell  at  this 
time  was  in  the  rear  &  Father  in  the  centre. 

Roberson  though  seemed  to  sheer  off  from  shore, 
making  a  contrary  move  from  the  Col's,  order  on  which 

the  Col.  called  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "d n  you, 

Col.  Roberson,  I  say  land  your  canoes."  Still  the  order 
was  not  obeyed,  on  which  Shelby  called  to  Father  and 
ordered  him  to  land  his  men  which  he  did  promptly — (I 
relate  this  as  a  matter  of  fact  though  it  may  seem  a  lit- 
tle like  boasting.) 

This  little  army  suffered  incredible  hardships  on 
their  return,  which  had  to  be  performed  on  foot  mostly, 
though  the  men  picked  up  a  good  many  Indian  ponies, 
Father  one  amongst  the  rest  which  he  rode  home. 

This  Campaign,  though  they  never  could  bring  the 
Indians  to  fight,  served  to  show  them  we  were  able  to 
make  war  offensively — and  after  destroying  a  quantity 
of  Indian  property  returned  without  the  loss  of  a  man — 


92  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

This  campaign  I  think  went  out  in  the  spring  preceding 
the  campaign  against  the  British  in  Carolina.  At  this 
time  we  had  the  British  on  one  side  &  the  Indians  on 
the  other.  I  am  conscious  of  being  liable  to  mistakes  as 
respects  dates,  but  this  I  know  to  be  certain,  the  British 
under  Cornwallis  were  making  such  advances  through 
the  Carolinas  that  it  was  thought  by  some  they  might  at- 
tempt to  cross  the  mountains  which,  though  we  had 
enough  to  do  to  keep  off  the  Indians,  yet  apprehending 
some  danger  from  the  British  and  tories  should  they 
succeed  in  crossing  the  mountains,  our  hardy  backwoods 
men  under  those  Gallant  Chiefs  Campbell,  Shelby  &  Se- 
vier, left  their  homes,  though  exposed  to  the  attack  of  our 
savage  foe,  to  brave  the  more  formidable  enemy,  the 
British. 

Father  commanded  a  company  on  this  campaign. 
Under  him  were  George  Rutledge  &  Robt.  King — (The 
former  afterwards  General  Rutledge  of  Sullivan,  the  lat- 
ter the  celebrated  Bob  King  known  all  over  Tennessee.) 

This  little  band  contributed  largely  in  defeating  Maj. 
Ferguson  at  King's  Mountain. 

I  think  late  in  the  same  autumn  after  returning 
from  the  Kings  Mountain  campaign,  another  small  army 
was  raised  of  mounted  Infantry,  but  unless  this  campaign 
was  under  the  command  of  Col.  Arthur  Campbell  (as  I 
feel  very  certain  he  was  along)  I  cannot  say  who  com- 
manded. Father  I  think  had  a  Major's  command.  On 
this  tour  James  Eliot  was  killed  by  an  Indian  at  Tellico — 
these  excursions  into  the  heart  of  their  country  served  to 
keep  them  in  check  besides  gave  them  some  trouble  to 
support  their  families — which  brought  about  a  temporary 
peace. 

This  brings  me  down  to  the  time  of  the  Frankland 
Government,  and  you  desire  to  know  something  about  the 
part  my  Father  took  in  this  matter,  but  first  I  will  answer 
some  of  your  enquiries  concerning  several  of  the  old 
pioneers,  &c. 

The  Shelby  Family  except  the  old  Gen.  (the  father 
of  Isaac  and  others)  had  all  removed  or  had  been  killed 
by  this  time.  James  Shelby  was  killed  on  the  Kentucky 
Road  and  his  Brother  Evan  subsequently  was  killed  on 
the  road  somewhere  between  Kentucky  &  Cumberland. 
Moses  the  youngest  settled  below  Nashville  where  he  liv- 
ed many  years. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  93 

Of  the  Bledsoes,  Anthony  &  Isaac  who  had  been 
prominent  men  in  their  day,  removed  to  Bledsoe's  lick  at 
an  early  day,  at  which  place  they  were  both  killed  by 
Indians — the  Looney  Family  also  were  amongst  the  lead- 
ing characters  of  this  day  in  Sullivan.  J.  Rhea  of  whom 
you  speak  was  a  prominent  character  in  early  times,  was 
for  many  years  a  member  of  Congress,  had  practiced 
law,  and  quite  old  died  a  Bachelor.  Stocklye  Donnald- 
son,  I  believe  the  first  surveyor  that  ever  stretched  a 
chain  in  Sullivan,  became  the  greatest  land  manager 
(man)  in  the  state  but  became  dissipated  and  involvent. 

Of  Cols.  Maxwell,  Long  &  Pemberton,  I  cannot  say 
they  were  ever  distinguished  for  anything  except  the  part 
they  took  with  the  old  state  party  against  the  Franklin 
Government,  which  served  to  procure  them  appointments 
when  the  government  ceased,  but  so  soon  as  we  became  a 
Territorial  Government  they  were  all — I  mean  the  old 
state  party — left  out. 

The  circumstances  which  led  to  the  setting  up  the 
Franklin  Government  were  these — North  Carolina  made 
a  cession  of  the  country  to  Congress — the  cession  Act 
not  being  rec'd  by  Congress  we  were  then  without  a 
Government,  upon  which  a  meeting  was  held  as  you  are 
informed  at  Jonesborough,  where  it  was  determined  to 
call  a  convention — which  they  did,  of  which  Father  was  a 
member.  In  short  they  organized  a  Government,  in 
which  Father  took  an  active  part,  was  a  member  of  the 
legislature.  Some  two  or  three  sessions  was  held  at 
Greenville — John  Sevier  was  appointed  Governor,  but 
who  were  the  other  state  Officers  I  do  not  recollect. 

But  those  men  I  have  named  above  not  having  gotten 
any  share  of  the  spoils,  and  North  Carolina  having  re- 
scinded the  cession  act  claimed  Jurisdiction  over  the 
whole  state  of  Franklin,  which  brought  about  an  unhap- 
py state  of  things  and  proved  nigh  coming  to  a  civil  war. 
Indeed  there  was  a  little  brush  between  a  party  of  Frank- 
Unities  &  Tiptonites  as  they  were  called — but  although 
the  Franklin  Government  was  undoubtedly  popular  with 
the  people,  yet  it  was  thought  most  prudent  to  abandon 
it,  well  knowing  that  we  must  soon  become  a  Territory  at 
least. 

Amongst  those  in  Sullivan  in  favor  of  the  Franklin 
schism  was  Col.  John  Anderson,  Col.  W.  Craigie,  Capt. 
John  Menifee,  Col.  John  Sawyer.  The  Looney  family  I 
think  were  rather  neutral,  at  any  rate  the  new  state  had 


94  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

a  Majority  of  the  people — after  the  authority  of  the 
Franklin  Government  yielded  to  those  of  the  old  state, 
a  new  set  of  Officers  both  civil  &  military  were  appoint- 
ed by  the  latter,  when  those  men  Scott  &  others  were 
appointed  in  Sullivan. 

I  cannot  say  precisely  in  what  year  the  second  ses- 
sion act  was  passed  by  the  legislature  of  North  Carolina, 
but  this  I  know,  we  were  organized  as  a  Territorial  Gov- 
ernment in  1791 — -during  the  period,  I  mean  to  '91,  the 
Cherokees  broke  out,  doing  some  mischief  on  our  fron- 
tiers— when  Gen.  Joseph  Martin  was  ordered  out  with  an 
army  of  about  500  men.  This  I  think  was  in  the  autumn 
of  '89  or  '90.  On  this  campaign  Father  went  out  as  Aid 
to  the  Gen.  I  was  on  this  campaign  myself  for  the  first 
time — we  penetrated  into  the  Indian  country  as  far  as 
the  Lookout  Mountain  where  we  had  a  smart  brush  with 
the  Indians,  had  three  men  killed  &  five  wounded.  Of 
the  enemy  it  was  said  their  loss  was  some  9  or  10 — after 
this  affair  the  army  returned  doing  little  more  than  de- 
stroying some  of  their  towns,  &c. 

But  so  soon  as  we  became  a  Territorial  Government 
the  old  Franklin  Officers  were  reinstated,  Father  amongst 
the  rest — when  in  the  autumn  of  '92  the  Indians  still  har- 
assing the  frontiers,  there  were  two  Regiments  ordered 
out  by  Governor  Blount  for  the  defense  of  the  frontiers. 
My  Father  took  command  of  the  Sullivan  Regiment,  but 
I  have  forgotten  who  commanded  the  troops  from  Wash- 
ington. Those  troops  were  marched  to  South  West  point 
where  they  erected  two  block  houses.  After  performing 
a  tour  of  perhaps  three  months  they  returned  home. 

Those  troops  were  regularly  mustered  into  &  out  of 
service  by  a  proper  office  which  being  filed  in  the  War 
Office  will  shew  correctly  who  the  officers  were  in  those 
two  regiments. 

The  Captain  Chistian  you  mention  as  having  per- 
formed a  Tour  to  Miroe  Dist.  in  '92  was  Robert  Christian 
an  older  brother  of  my  own. 

Again  in  the  summer  of  '93  Father  was  ordered  out 
against  the  Cherokees  at  the  head  of  a  Regiment  from 
Sullivan.  Those  troops  were  partly  mounted  &  part  in- 
tended to  guard  the  frontier  stations — these  were  marcht 
on  foot. 

This  little  army  rendezvoused  at  Ashes  (Ishes)  sta- 
tion, some  25  miles  below  Knoxville — I  was  myself  left 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  95 

at  this  station  with  a  part  of  the  troops  and  Captains 
Beaty,  Scott,  &  Gregg.  Also  Majors  Taylor  &  Conway. 
At  this  time  I  was  Ensign  of  Capt.  Beatie's  Company,  also 
had  the  appointment  of  adjutant  of  the  Regiment. 

Father  being  mounted  took  the  command  of  a  Regiment 
&  marcht  into  the  Cherokee  Country  under  Genl.  John 
Sevier.  This  was  called  the  Hightower  Campaign  spoken 
of  by  Mr.  Dunlap. 

On  this  campaign  Father  was  attacked  with  fever 
which  after  returning  home  as  far  as  Knoxville  terminat- 
ed his  earthly  existence. 

This  event  happened  in  November,  1793.  He  was 
buried  in  the  manner  as  stated  by  Mr.  Dunlap  though  I 
was  not  present,  being  still  at  the  Station. 

1  deem  it  unnecessary  to  say  more  believing  I  have 
given  you  a  sufficient  task  already  to  read  this  scrawl — 
But  if  I  have  succeeded  in  giving  you  any  satisfaction  in 
what  I  have  endeavored  to  sketch  out,  I  shall  consider 
myself  sufficiently  compensated. 

And  now  let  me  express  the  high  sense  I  have  of  the 
honor  done  me  in  thus  noting  what  I  have  been  able  to 

furnish. 

Yours  Truly 

GEO.  CHRISTIAN 

P.  S. — What  you  will  find  in  this  communication  dif- 
ferent from  the  former  are  mere  corrections,  as  I  have 
been  able  in  some  degree  to  correct  some  mistakes.  In 
answer  to  your  inquiry  respecting  old  manuscript  papers 
in  Father's  possession  at  the  time  of  his  death,  I  can  say 
there  was  a  quantity.  Amongst  others  there  were  manu- 
script copies  of  the  laws  of  Franklin  and  all  of  which 
old  papers  fell  into  other  hands  after  Mother's  death  in 
1812.  I  presume  my  youngest  sister,  Margaret  (who 
married  Rev.  Thomas  Milligan)  and  removed  to  White 
River  Indiana,  if  preserved  at  all,  must  have  possession 
of  all  the  old  papers. 

Father  left  at  his  death  eight  children,  five  sons  and 
three  daughters.  Of  his  sons  first  Robert,  George,  Wil- 
liam, and  John.  Israel  the  youngest  died  young  and 
never  married.  Of  daughters  there  were  Elizabeth,  Isa- 
bella, and  Margaret.  At  this  time  there  were  upwards  of 
forty  grandchildren  living — it  might  be  proper  to  remark 


96  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

that  Sullivan  county  until  the  running  of  the  State  line  on 
'79  was  deemed  to  be  in  Va.  but  when  that  was  extended 
the  Campbell  family  fell  into  Virginia,  though  several  of 
them  afterwards  removed  to  Tennessee,  and  took  an  ac- 
tive part  in  the  affairs  of  our  State,  many  of  them  too  well 
known  for  me  to  attempt  to  add  anything  to  their  fame 
in  the  councils  of  the  nation. 

I  am  with  sentiments  of  high  regard, 

Yours 
GEORGE  CHRISTIAN. 


VI 


FRANKLIN  AND  THE  WHITES 

In  the  following  speech  by  Hugh  Lawson  White  and 
the  expansive  pension  statement  by  Benjamin  White  will 
be  found  much  of  interest  relative  to  the  State  of  Franklin 
and  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain. 

James,  a  son  of  Moses  and  Mary  McConnell  White, 
was  born  in  Iredell  county,  North  Carolina,  in  1747,  and 
in  1770  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Hugh  Lawsc  i  and 
his  wife  Margaret  Barry.  He  was  a  captain  under  Major 
Chronicle,  and  located  a  landgrant  at  Knoxville,  Tennes- 
see, where  he  died  in  1831.  The  graves  of  himself  and 
wife  are  in  the  yard  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church. 
White  was  the  founder  of  Knoxville,  the  town  being  sur- 
veyed on  his  land  in  the  fall  of  1791.  He  was  a  steadfast 
and  strong  supporter  of  the  state  of  Franklin,  a  brigadier 
general  of  the  militia,  and  when  Governor  Blount  was  im- 
peached, he  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Tennessee  senate  so 
that  Blount  might  be  elected  in  his  place.  General  White 
was  of  commanding  presence,  being  six  feet  four  inches 
in  height.  Many  of  his  descendants  are  to  be  found  in 
Knox  county  and  in  other  communities  of  the  South  and 
West.  His  daughter  Margaret  married  Charles  McClung, 
the  first  surveyor  of  Knox. 

Below  is  an  extract  from  a  speech  delivered  by 
Hugh  Lawson  White  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States, 
March  24,  1838.  He  was  speaking  on  the  Sub-Treasury 
plan,  but  took  occasion  to  answer  some  disparaging  re- 
marks concerning  the  state  of  Franklin. 

"It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Governor,  Chief- 
Justice,  and  some  other  Officers,  were  to  be  paid  in  deer 
skins,  other  inferior  officers  were  to  be  paid  in  raccoon 
skins.    Now,  at  that  day,  we  were  all  good  Whigs. 

We  thought  these  taxes  might  safely  remain  in  the 
hands  of  the  collectors  as  sub-treasury  funds  until  wanted 
for  disbursement.  The  Taxes  were,  therefore  fairly  col- 
lected in  skins  and  peltry  pointed  out  in  the  law.  But 
the  collector  as  the  report  says,  knew  that  although 
raccoon  skins  were  plentiful,  opossums  were  more  so,  and 
they  could  be  procured  for  little  or  nothing.  They,  there- 
fore, procured  the  requisite  number  of  opossum  skins,  cut 
the  tail  from  the  raccoon  skins,  sewed  them  to  the  opos- 


98  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

sum  skins,  paid  them  to  the  general  or  principal  treasury, 
and  sold  the  raccoon  skins  to  the  hatters. 

The  treasurer  had  been  an  unlucky  appointment,  al- 
though a  worthy  man ;  he  was  a  foreigner,  knew  nothing 
of  skins  or  peltry  and  was,  therefore,  easily  deceived  by 
the  sub-treasurer.  When  this  imposition  was  discovered, 
the  whole  system  went  down,  and  we  never  had  a  great 
fancy  for  leaving  the  taxes  in  the  hands  of  the  sub-treas- 
urer or  collectors  from  that  day  to  this. 

But,  Sir,  these  old  proceedings  more  clearly  develop- 
ed the  true  character  of  my  State  than  almost  anything 
of  the  present  day.  The  Territory  or  state  called  Frank- 
land  was  composed  of  four  counties  of  North  Carolina, 
and  separated  from  the  body  of  the  State  by  the  great 
ledge  of  Mountains,  called  at  different  places  by  differ- 
ent names,  and  from  what  is  now  west  Tennessee,  by  the 
Cumberland  mountains,  and  a  wilderness  of  200  miles. 

The  Revolutionary  war  had  terminated  in  1783 ;  but 
it  continued  with  the  powerful  tribes  of  Indians  who  had 
been  in  alliance  with  the  British.  The  depredations  of 
these  Indians  were  so  severe  and  serious  that  aid  to  ar- 
rest their  ravages  was  desired  from  North  Carolina.  That 
State  was  not  in  position  to  furnish  protection,  and  in- 
stead thereof,  from  good  motives  no  doubt,  but  without 
due  consideration,  passed  an  act  ceding  us  to  the  United 
States.  When  the  news  was  received,  the  leading  men, 
who  were  King's  Mountain  men,  Sevier,  the  companion 
of  the  gallant  Campbell,  and  Shelby,  at  their  head,  took 
fire,  the  discontent  ended  in  a  declaration  of  indepen- 
dence, and  the  formation  of  the  State  called  to  perpetuate 
whig  principles,  Frankland,  followed. 

North  Carolina  discovered  her  error,  and  before 
Congress  could  act  on  the  subject,  repealed  her  act  of 
cession.  But  it  was  too  late.  We  had  been  disposed  of 
without  our  consent.  Though  but  a  handful,  with  a  pow- 
erful savage  enemy  infesting  our  whole  frontier,  and 
without  a  dollar  to  begin  with,  we  set  up  for  ourselves. 
We  would  not  brook  the  indignity.  We  had  begun  the 
fight  for  liberty,  and  liberty  or  death  we  would  have. 
We  continued  the  controversy  till  1789,  when  an  accom- 
modation with  our  parent  state  took  place,  and  with 
our  consent,  and  upon  terms  thought  just,  we,  with 
other  portions  of  the  Territory,  were  ceded,  1789,  to  the 
United  States. 

In  1796,  we  became  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  how 
we    since    have    conducted    ourselves,    I    am    willing   to 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  99 

leave  to  the  judgment  of  our  sister  States.  I  confess,  in- 
stead of  feeling  humble,  I  feel  proud  that  my  ancestor 
was  one  of  that  unyielding  band,  that  I  now  find  myself 
associated  with  a  Sevier  and  a  Tipton." 

The  pension  statement  of  Benjamin  White  and  the 
story  of  his  wife  are  taken  from  the  papers  of  Selden 
Nelson  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee.  Mr.  Nelson  is  a  son  of 
T.  A.  R.  Nelson,  an  attorney  of  national  reputation  who 
went  to  the  aid  of  his  personal  friend,  Andrew  Johnson, 
when  the  latter  was  impeached  as  President  of  the 
United  States.  Many  veterans  of  the  Revolution  applied 
to  him  for  help  in  securing  pensions.  The  historical 
papers  of  Selden  Nelson  are  many  and  valuable. 

Martha,  wife  of  Benjamin  White,  was  a  daughter 
of  David  Jobe,  a  fighter  in  the  wars  with  the  Indians.  Her 
courage  was  as  undaunted  as  that  of  her  father  and  her 
husband.  While  the  men  were  standing  guard  to  keep 
the  natives  from  murdering  their  families  and  burning 
their  cabins,  we  hear  more  of  them  than  of  the  women 
who  were  meanwhile  performing  heroic  acts.  The  story 
of  Mrs.  White  is  told  by  Selden  Nelson,  a  great  great 
grandson  of  Benjamin  White  and  also  a  great  great 
grandson  of  the  Robert  Sevier  killed  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. 

Following  the  story  of  Mrs.  White  is  a  letter  by  her 
son,  Benjamin  J.  White,  written  from  Texana  (Texar- 
kana?),  Texas,  October  17,  1852.  Mr.  White  was  still 
living  at  that  place  in  the  spring  of  1860.  The  pension 
application  of  his  father  was  granted. 

I,  Benjamin  White,  of  Knox  County,  Tennessee,  do 
certify  that  I  was  in  the  King  Mountain  battle,  the  7th 
of  October,  1780,  in  Colonel  Campbell's  regiment.  He 
was  riding  a  bay  horse.  I  saw  Colonel  Campbell  receive 
the  sword  from  the  British  captain,  I  think  his  name  De- 
Peyster,  and  heard  Col.  Campbell  order  the  flag  to  be 
received,  and  I  believe  it  was  Evan  Shelby  received  it.  I 
saw  Col.  Campbell  very  frequently  during  the  whole  ac- 
tion encouraging  his  men,  and  feel  confident  he  was  not 
absent  from  his  men  one  moment  during  the  whole  bat- 
tle. When  I  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  I  was  at  the  bat- 
tle at  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Kenhawa  with  the  Shawnee 
Indians,  10th  of  October  1774,  in  the  battle  of  Princeton 
3rd  June,  1777,  in  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  11th  Sept., 
1777,  in  the  battle  of  German  Town,  4th  of  October 
1777 ;  in  the  battle  with  the  Shawnee  Indians  at  the 
Miami  towns  9th  of  April  1779 ;  in  the  battle  of  Kings 


100  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Mountain,  and  in  a  battle  in  Florida  with  the  Indians 
10th  of  Feb.  1813;  and  in  all  those  battles  I  never  saw  a 
braver  man  than  Col.  Campbell  according  to  my  judge- 
ment, and  to  the  above  statement  I  am  willing  to  be  quali- 
fied. 
Knoxville,  May  the  28th,  1823. 

I  certify  that  I  knew  Benjamin  White,  soldier  for 
upwards  of  eighteen  years.  That  he  maintained  the  char- 
acter of  a  man  of  honesty  and  veracity.  That  I  would 
have  great  confidence  in  any  statement  he  would  make. 

Mr.  White  served  under  my  command  as  a  volunteer 
against  the  Seminole  Indians  in  the  winter  of  1812-13. 
He  afforded  many  evidences  of  undaunted  bravery  on 
that  campaign,  and  would  be  as  likely  to  give  a  faithful 
narrative  of  the  events  of  a  battle  as  any  man  whatever. 

John  Williams 

July  4th,  1823 

It  was  the  warm  summer  days  of  the  month  of  June 
in  1786,  when  the  women  and  children  were  outside  the 
blockhouse,  watching  the  lovely  scenery  across  the  Hol- 
ston  river,  where  the  wild  flowers  were  blooming  among 
the  beans  and  corn  planted  on  the  rich  ground  across  the 
river.  Suddenly  they  heard  the  swish  of  silent  moving 
bodies  somewhere  back  of  the  forest  nearest  to  them. 
First  it  seemed  the  sound  of  stealthy  animals  of  the  wild, 
and  then  one  woman  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  gay  head- 
dress of  an  advancing  Indian,  and  with  a  scream  she 
called  /'Indians,  Indians."  The  women  carried  and  hur- 
ried the  children  to  the  blockhouse,  while  the  men  closed 
the  gates  and  barred  them  with  stout  timber,  as  the  first 
arrow  sped  over  their  heads.  The  Indians  kept  up  the 
onslaught  until  the  darkness  hid  them.  The  men  in  the 
fort  kept  watch  all  night,  and  as  soon  as  the  sun  arose 
in  the  mist  of  the  east,  the  Indian  rifles  sounded  out  in  the 
renewed  attack  on  the  Fort.  All  that  day  the  men  in  the 
blockhouse  were  put  to  their  strength  in  keeping  the  In- 
dians from  coming  close  enough  to  fire  the  place.  The 
third  day  was  the  same,  only  the  food  was  found  almost 
gone,  and  the  terrible  fear  that  they  could  not  long  resist 
the  Indians  without  food,  made  the  fighting  force  des- 
perate. At  the  close  of  the  third  day  the  Indians  crossed 
the  Holston  and  disappeared  beyond  the  corn  field  in  the 
cane  rushes  and  wild  grape  vines  out  of  the  sight  of  those 
watching  from  the  Fort.  Were  they  gone  for  good,  was 
the  question  of  each  face.  The  men  thought  they  were 
waiting  to  see  if  any  one  would  come  out  to  shoot  them ; 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  101 

else  were  they  going  to  stay  in  order    to    starve    them 
out?     The  question  of  food  was  intense,  and  their  corn 
and  beans  were  in  sight,  between  them  and  where  the 
Indians  disappeared.     Finally  it  was  decided  by  lot  who 
should  be  the  one  to  go  across  and  gather  the  corn  and 
beans.     Mrs.  Benjamin  White,  who  was  a  beautiful  wo- 
man with  a  glorious  crown  of  golden  red  hair,  and  who 
was  often  lovingly  called  "Red-headed  Squaw"  by  her 
family,  arose  and  said,  "I  am  the  one  to    go.      The    In- 
dians are  less  apt  to  molest  a  woman  than  a  man."    Every 
man  protested  against  it,  but  who  can  change  the  mind 
of  a  brave  and  courageous  woman  ?    They  had  to  let  her 
have  her  way.     A  young  girl,  Emily  Hunt,  was  very  de- 
voted to  Mrs.  White  for  the  many  kindnesses  she  had 
shown  her,  so  she,  too,  insisted  she  would  go  where  Mrs. 
White  went.     The  two  slipped  out  and  went  down  the 
bank  to  where  a  canoe  was  safely  hidden.    The  sun  burst 
out  in  its  brilliancy  as  the  two  women  softly  paddled 
across  the  river.    Now  and  again  they  thought  they  could 
see  the  rushes  move,  and  their  hearts  beat  fast  as  they 
nervily  went  on.     On  landing,  they  tied  the  canoe,  stood 
for  a  moment  looking  back  to  the  Fort  discerning  from  the 
portholes  the  muzzles  of  guns  pointed  their  way.    Not  an 
Indian  was  in  sight.    They  quickly  gathered  the  corn  and 
beans,  and  yet,  when  Mrs.  White  went  a  little  closer  to 
the  rushes  she  thought  she  heard  supressed  breathing, 
and  unmistakably  the  rushes  did  stir.     She  and  Emily 
Hunt  moved  away  hurriedly  with  their  sacks,  made  for 
the  canoe,  and  were  across  much  quicker  than  they  came. 
What  a  relief  was  their  return  to  those  inside  the  Fort. 
Now  they  all  felt  they  could  resist  for  days  until  help 
could  be  procured.     The  Indians  did  not  return.     Some 
months  afterwards,  Mrs.  White,  and  her  handmaids  were 
busy  spinning  and  putting  up  the  summer  herbs,  that  Mrs. 
White  knew  the  use  of  so  well  that  she  was  considered  the 
Doctor  of  the  settlement.      They    did    not    notice    the 
shadows  of  two  Indians,  until  they  appeared  in  the  door- 
way.    It  was  a  time  of  peace,    and    the    Indians    were 
friendly.    Mrs.  White  invited  them  to  enter.    They  did  so 
and  stood  solemnly  watching  the  mixing  of  herbs.     The 
first  Indians  turned  and  asked  Mrs.  White  if  she  remem- 
bered him.    After  looking  closely  she  said  she  could  not. 
Then  he  held  out  his  hand  and  pointed  to  a  scar  on  his 
finger.     Then  she  remembered  that  two  years  before  a 
neighbor  brought  this  Indian  to  her  house  to  be  cured  of 
a  large  felon  on  the  first  finger.  She  had  poulticed  it  with 
lime  and  hog's  lard  until  it  ripened  and  broke.    Then  she 


102  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

took  horehound  and  honey  and  cured  it  after  several 
days  treatment,  and  forgot  all  about  it,  for  every  day  she 
was  called  on  for  help  of  some  kind.  She  smiled,  and 
told  the  Indian  he  looked  better  than  the  last  time  she 
saw  him.  Then  he  told  her,  he  was  the  chief  who  attack- 
ed the  Fort  on  that  day,  and  that  they  were  all  in  the 
rushes  when  she  came  across  to  get  the  corn  and  beans. 
When  the  sun  shone  on  her  red  hair  he  recognized  her. 
A  hundred  arrows  and  guns  were  raised  to  shoot,  but 
he  restrained  his  men.  That  was  why  they  did  not  come 
back,  and  that  was  why  they  made  peace. 

In  a  letter  written  from  Texana,  Texas,  Oct.  17,  1852, 
Mr.  White  says : 

"With  regard  to  my  fathers  services  I  do  not  know  if 
they  can  be  reached  at  this  late  date.  Unfortunately  in 
1836  at  the  time  of  our  runaway  scrape  (that  is  the  fami- 
lies of  Texas)  in  packing  our  effects  at  my  son-in-law's  I 
had  about  |  bushel  of  old  papers  of  my  father's  and  mine, 
among  which  was  my  father's  discharge.  In  looking  over 
them  Mr.  Williams  and  Mary  persuaded  me  to  burn  them 
as  they  never  could  do  me  or  any  other  person  any  good. 
I  refused  and  they  commenced  throwing  them  into  the 
fire,  so  I  had  to  yield.  But  I  recollect  the  regiment  he  be- 
longed to,  from  the  fuss  picked  up  in  Kentucky,  between 
Gen'l  Adair  and  Col.  Shelby,  one  party  accusing  the  other 
with  cowardice  and  Col.  William  P.  Anderson  of  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  taking  sides  with — I  think  Adair  came  all 
the  way  to  Knoxville  to  procure  my  father's  certificate 
which  was  taken  before  James  Park,  Esq.,  which  proved 
that  Col.  Campbell  and  not  Shelby  made  the  main  attack 
and  defeat  at  King's  Mountain,  and  as  well  as  I  recollect, 
Col.  Shelby  did  not  go  into  action  until  about  the  close. 
My  father  was  also  in  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens — these 
things  I  have  heard  him  and  others  talk  about  often.  I 
do  not  recollect  the  date  but  can  testify  I  once  had  it  in 
my  possession  and  that  was  burnt  in  the  home  of  Robert 
H.  Williams,  the  brother  of  Hon.  C.  H.  Williams.  You 
can  mention  these  things  to  'Squire  Park,  and  see  if  he 
has  any  recollection  of  the  certificate — maybe  so.  Judge 
Thomas  L.  Williams  may  recollect,  as  my  father  and  him 
used  to  talk  together  a  great  deal  about  old  times.  Have 
you  obtained  the  bounty  warrant  for  his  services  in  the 
Seminole  War?  I  have  got  mine,  and  I  want  my  dear 
old  sister  to  have  his.  You  can  prove  it  up  by  Thos.  L. 
Williams,  who  was  along  with  us  and  Mat  Mynatt,  if  he 
is  still  alive." 


VII 


MILITIA  ROSTERS 

The  first  roster  is  that  of  Captain  Shelby's  company 
in  the  Chickamauga  campaign  of  1779.  The  second  is 
that  of  Captain  Bledsoe  in  1777.  Most  of  the  men  enume- 
rated were  at  King's  Mountain.  The  lists  were  copied 
from  the  Draper  manuscripts  in  the  Lawson  McGhee 
Free  Library  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee. 

In  the  Shelby  list,  the  successive  columns  of  figures 
are  (a)  blankets,  (b)  leggings,  (c)  moccasins,  (d)  arms, 
(e)  tomahawks,  (f)  gunsacks.  In  the  second  column 
"11"  means  2. 

(a) 

Catel  Litton  1 

William  Linn  1 

Hans  Ireland  1 

David  Hendricks  

Andrew  Linn  1 

Benj.  Sweet 1 

Tho.  Maner 1 

John  Mouer  1 

William  Clem 1 

William  Harwood  ...1 

Evan  Shelby,  Jun 1 

Garrett  Pendergrass 

Alexander  Carwell    1 

Joseph  Wells  1 

John  Harmison 

John  Fleming 1 

Elias  Dawson  

Anthony  Millon  1 

Robert  Chambers 1 

John  Brown  1 

Tho.  Applegate  1 

Geo.  Parker 

John  Shelby  1 

Charles  Prather  1 

Elisha  Perkins  1 

John  Higgins 

Robert  Friggs 

E.  Bruster 1 

Joseph  Latman 

Buk  Nealley 1 


(b) 

(c) 

(d)   (e), 

(f) 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

11 

1 

1 

11 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1 

1 

11 

11 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1    1 

1 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 


104 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


Joseph  Pierce  

Daniel    Linn  1  11            1 

Barnett  Johnson 1  111 

David  Jennings  1  1          1 

Richard  Long 

Samuel  Price 

Robert  Blackburn 1  11          1 

William  Tom  1  1          1 

Tho.  Cheney 1  111 

John  Detgaoorett 1  1          1 

J.  C.  Friggs 

William  McSpaden  1  11          1 

Isaac  Morgan 

Andrew  Folson,  his  own  blanket 

LIST  OF  SOLDIERS 

Isaac  Bledsoe,  Capt.  John  Barton 
James  Douglass,  Sergt.  John  Bennedict 
W.  M.  Broom,  Private  Robt.  Dobson 
Joseph  Cartwright  Joseph  Dobson 
David  Cash  John  Givens 
Peter  Waldrin  James  Givens 
John  Miller  Hugh  Henry- 
Andrew  Avender  Jno.  McNelly 
Philip  Williams  James  Mason 
Wm.  Inglis  Marcum  Marshall 
Sam  Axer  Richard  Perry 
John  Tucker  Jacob  Stephens 
John  Sufferet  Moses  Sweeney 
Thomas  Brooks  Alexander  Sloan 
Jas.  Freeland  William  Sloan 
Wm.  Patterson  John  Sloan 
Robt.  King  Tho.  Shannan 
James  Dunlop  Robt.  Limonton 
Jas.  Donald  Isaac  Shelby 
John  Rice                             t  David  Warres 
Tho.  Blyth  Charles  Williams 
Jas.  Williams  John  Withers 
Jn.  Francis  Budvine  Edward  Douglas 
John  Patterson  John  Carter 
John  Robertson  Charles  Bakly 
John  Bentley  John  Besall 


VIII 

INCIDENT  IN  THE  LIFE  OF  ALEXANDER  MOORE 

The  following  is  without  the  name  of  either  addres- 
see or  writer,  but  appears  to  belong  in  the  Draper  col- 
lection. Alexander  Moore  is  spoken  of  in  Section  Two 
of  this  book.  The  letter  tells  of  an  incident  in  his  career, 
and  there  is  mention  of  persons  and  occurrences  in  early- 
Tennessee  history. 

I  have  been  personally  acquainted  with  Alexander 
Moore  of  whom  you  speak — Robt.  King  &  others  who 
knew  all  about  the  affair  of  Moores  killing  the  Indian 
called  Big  Sawga,  but  never  heard  of  Moore  having  had 
any  assistance  and  to  use  a  common  phrase  Moore  was 
called  at  that  time  much  of  a  man  was  a  tall  finely  form- 
ed man  of  undaunted  courage   &   withal  proud  of  his 
muscular  powers.     For  when  the  Indian  was  seen  after 
the  firing  was  over  in  a  large  sink  hole  Moore  proposed 
to  some  of  those  about  him  to  have  a  single  combat  with 
the  Indian   &   seeing  that  he  was  a    large    fellow    he 
thought  there  would  be  some  honor  in  a  victory  of  that 
sort  altho  the  Indian  was  wounded  in  the  knee  &  in  one 
hand  held  a  tomahawk  in  the  other  his  scalping  knife — 
as  Moore  advanced  upon  him  with  no  other  weapon  but 
his  knife  the  Indian  standing  on  one  knee  placing  him- 
self in  the  best  position  he  could  to  receive  his  adversary 
&  before  Moore  got  within  reach  threw  his  tomahawk 
but  Moore  being  appraised  of  his  intention  dodged  it  & 
closed  with  the  fellow  when  a  deadly  scuffle  ensued  and 
as  Moore  said  the  unhandiest  chap  he  had  had  anything 
to  do  with  for  the  Indian  by  holding  to  Moore  was  often 
on  his  feet  and  being  naked  would  slip  from  his  grasp  in 
such  a  way  as  to  make  it  difficult   for    Moore    to    keep 
on    his    feet    but  after  a  hard  scuffle  Moore  succeeded 
in  plunging  his  knife  into  the  Indian's  body  several  times 
which  ended  the  battle  but  I  never  heard  of  any  one  as- 
sisting Moore  at  all  but  Samuel  Young  came  up  just  when 
the  battle  was  ended  and  shot  the  Indian  in  the  head — 
as  respects  the  affair  with  the  party  going  from  Parson 
Cumminges  I  have  no  recollection  sufficient  at  least  to 
give  you  any  satisfaction  neither  do  I  know  any  thing 
about  the  party  of  from  20  to  40  Indians  you  speak  of 
though  it  might  all  be  so  but  when  this  should  have  hap- 


106  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

pened  our  family  were  all  safe  in  Augusta,  Va.  my  recol- 
lection of  what  occurred  on  the  frontiers  after  the  Island 
Battle  is  quite  vague — I  never  learnt  of  Mr.  Carmack  that 
he  was  on  any  other  campaigns  &  at  the  stations  I  think 
pretty  much  until  the  end  of  the  war — and  here  I  will 
take  the  liberty  of  joining  you  in  congratulating  each 
other  of  the  happy  result  of  the  late  Presidential  Elec- 
tion I  join  with  you  in  toto  on  that  subject.  But  how  you 
became  acquainted  with  my  political  views  I  am  at  a 
loss  to  know  but  at  any  rate  you  have  made  a  good  guess. 
But  I  will  add  more  that  there  is  no  man  in  the  union  more 
gratified  than  myself  at  the  success  of  the  Democratic 
party  in  the  late  contest  and  I  am  further  gratified  that 
James  K.  Polk  should  be  the  man  to  beat  Henry  Clay  and 
I  am  not  gratified  because  I  expect  office  or  anything  in 
the  gift  of  the  President  I  neither  ask  or  expect  anything 
of  the  kind. 

You  ask  to  be  informed  about  Major  Jonathan  Tip- 
ton I  have  known  a  good  many  of  the  Tipton  family  but 
I  never  knew  any  of  the  name  of  any  distinction  in  this 
County  &  if  there  is  or  has  been  he  must  be  quite  ob- 
scure. 

Capt.  Haynes  defeat  happened  in  this  wise,  a  party 
of  some  15  or  20  or  perhaps  more  undertook  one  day  to 
cross  the  Tennessee  &  load  themselves  with  apples  at 
the  Indian  town  of  Citico  there  being  no  such  a  thing  as 
apples  on  our  side  I  am  not  quite  certain  the  party  went 
from  Craigs  Station  or  not  but  I  think  that  was  the  sta- 
tion. So  little  were  our  people  expecting  danger  that  but 
a  few  of  them  were  armed  the  distance  was  such  they 
expected  to  make  the  trip  in  a  day  &  return  with  every 
man  his  bag  of  apples  how  the  Indians  came  to  be  so  well 
prepared  was  not  known  but  so  it  was  whilst  all  hands 
were  busied  in  filling  their  bags  the  Indians  fell  on  them 
killing  the  number  which  I  have  forgotten  &  taking  most 
of  their  horses  &  chasing  those  that  escaped  several 
miles — 


IX 


GREER  AND  McELWEE  DATA 

Joseph  Greer  was  the  messenger  who  carried  to  the 
Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia  the  news  of  the 
victory  of  King's  Mountain.  He  walked  barefoot  all  the 
way.  For  his  services  he  acquired  a  grant  in  Lincoln 
county,  Tennessee  twelve  (?)  miles  square.  Here  he 
settled,  and  the  town  of  Petersburg  grew  up  on  his  land. 
Two  of  his  twelve  children  were  twins,  and  like  their  fa- 
ther they  were  about  six  feet  eight  inches  in  height. 
They  lived  until  about  1813.  On  the  monument  marking 
the  grave  of  Joseph  Greer  is  an  interesting  tablet,  placed 
there  by  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 

James  McElwee,  who  died  1820,  aged  sixty-eight, 
served  under  Shelby  at  Chickamauga,  and  under  Camp- 
bell at  King's  Mountain.  A  family  tradition  has  it  that 
McElwee  and  William  White  were  fellow  soldiers,  and 
that  White  was  slightly  wounded  at  King's  Mountain. 
McElwee  took  White  to  his  home,  which  was  near  by, 
where  he  was  nursed  by  a  sister,  whom  he  afterward  mar- 
ried.   White  was  one  of  the  original  justices  of  Roane. 

McElwee  was  one  of  the  five  first  settlers  at  Knox- 
ville.  In  his  account  book  he  noted  some  local  events,  one 
of  which  was  the  massacre  of  the  Cavitt  family.  This 
account  does  not  altogether  agree  with  the  one  given  by 
Ramsay.  He  says  the  incident  took  place  at  a  little  town 
called  Steckee,  where  now  is  Lenoir.  An  Indian  carried 
the  little  Cavitt  boy  on  his  back,  but  at  night  the  child 
cried  so  much  that  the  warrior  thought  it  might  be  heard 
and  accordingly  killed  it  by  hitting  its  head  against  a  tree. 
Another  entry  states  that  Elizabeth  McElwee,  born  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1791,  was  the  second  child  born  at  White's 
Station  (Knoxville),  Richard  Dunlap  being  the  first. 


DIARY  OF  CAPTAIN  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

The  manuscript  of  this  diary  is  in  the  British  Mu- 
seum, where  it  was  copied  by  Samuel  G.  Williams,  who 
used  it  in  his  article,  "King's  Mountain  Battle,  as  Seen 
by  a  British  Officer."  This  was  published  in  the  Tennes- 
see Historical  Magazine  for  April,  1921. 

When  Cornwallis  sent  Ferguson  on  detached  service, 
Chesney  was  second  among  the  captains,  DePuyster  be- 
ing first.  Gates  was  defeated  by  Cornwallis  August  16, 
1780,  and  two  days  later,  Sumter  was  defeated  by  Tarle- 
ton.  Elsewhere  as  well,  the  American  arms  were  unsuc- 
cessful. Ferguson  was  sent  to  dispose  of  the  hornet's 
nest  of  whigs  west  of  the  Wateree,  and  make  the  British 
victory  complete. 

Nearly  all  the  engagements  mentioned  by  DePuys- 
ter and  Chesney  are  referred  to  in  the  pension  declara- 
tions by  the  King's  Mountain  veterans.  Chesney  gives 
more  details  than  his  comrade.  He  was  born  in  Ireland 
and  settled  in  South  Carolina  about  1772.  He  early  en- 
tered the  British  army  and  fought  to  the  end,  honestly 
believing  he  was  on  the  right  side.  For  a  short  time  after 
his  capture  at  King's  Mountain  he  took  part  with  the 
Americans  against  the  Indians.  His  two  sons  attained 
high  rank  in  the  British  army. 

"On  9th  of  August  I  was  appointed  Capt.  and  As- 
sistant Adjutant  General  to  the  different  batallions  un- 
der Col.  Ferguson ;  and  same  day  we  attacked  the  enemy 
at  the  Iron  works,  (Wofford's  Iron  works)  and  defeated 
them  with  little  trouble  to  ourselves  and  with  a  good  deal 
of  loss  to  the  Americans  in  whose  hands  I  found  some  of 
our  men  prisoners  whom  I  released. 

12th.  Our  next  route  was  down  towards  the  Fish- 
ing Ford  on  the  Broad  river,  where  there  was  a  fight  near 
the  mouth  of  Brown's  creek  with  Neale's  Militia  (This 
was  Capt.  Wm.  Neale  in  the  King's  Mountain  battle) 
where  we  made  many  prisoners,  among  the  rest  Ensaw 
Smith  who  had  so  recently  taken  me.  After  this  we 
crossed  that  river,  and  formed  a  junction  with  the  troops 
under  command  of  Colonel  Turnbull  and  the  Militia  un- 
der Colonel  Philips,  and  having  received  authentic  ac- 
counts that  Sumpter  had  cut  off  our  retreat  to  Lord  Corn- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  109 

wallis  Army  at  Camden,  we  had  in  contemplation  to  cross 
Broad  river  and  retreat  to  Charleston.  At  this  time  the 
half-way-men,  (as  those  not  hearty  in  the  cause  were 
called)  left  us. 

Augst.  16.  We  then  marched  to  Col.  Winns,  a  Rebel, 
and  encamped  there  waiting  for  more  authentic  accounts. 
On  the  16th  we  heard  heavy  firing  towards  Camden 
which  kept  us  in  the  utmost  anxiety  until  the  18th,  when 
a  letter  was  received  from  Capt.  Ross,  Aid-de  camp  of 
Lord  Cornwallis,  informing  us  that  his  Lordship  had  at- 
tacked and  defeated  General  Gates  Army;  had  taken  or 
killed  220  men,  18  ammunition  wagons,  and  350  wagons 
with  provisions  and  other  stores.  This  news  made  us  as 
happy  as  we  could  possibly  be,  until  the  next  night  (19) 
when  we  received  an  express  that  the  Rebels  had  defeated 
Col.  Ennis  at  Enoree.  This  occasioned  a  march  that  way. 
The  main  body  having  crossed  the  Enoree,  I  was  left  be- 
hind in  command  of  the  rear  guard,  and  being  attacked 
in  that  situation  (Aug.  20)  we  retained  the  rear  guard 
until  the  main  body  recrossed  to  our  support.  The  Ameri- 
cans retreated  after  some  loss. 

We  encamped  for  some  time  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Enoree  and  then  marched  up  to  Fair  Forest.  Some  particu- 
lar business  having  called  Colonel  Ferguson  to  Camden, 
Captain  Depeyster  who  succeeded  him  in  Command 
marched  us  to  the  Iron  Works,  and  Sep.  1, 1  received  leave 
to  see  my  home  and  family,  whither  I  went  for  about  two 
hours,  and  sent  orders  to  those  who  so  shamefully  aban- 
doned us  some  time  ago  to  join  us  at  the  Iron  Works, 
in  order  to  do  three  months  duty  in  or  on  the  border  of 
North  Carolina,  and  returned  to  the  camp  that  night. 

We  continued  some  time  at  the  Iron  Works  and 
whilst  there  a  party  of  loyalists  with  whom  I  was,  de- 
feated Colonel  Brandon,  destroyed  some  of  his  party  and 
scattered  the  rest.  I  was  present  also  at  a  small  affair 
at  Fair  Forest,  the  particulars  of  which  as  well  as  the 
numerous  other  skirmishes  having  escaped  my  memory; 
scarcely  a  day  passed  without  some  fighting. 

Colonel  Ferguson  having  resumed  his  command  and 
finding  himself  pretty  strong  he  marched  us  to  North 
Carolina  line  and  encamped. 

A  dissatisfaction  prevailed  at  this  moment  among 
the  Militia  founded  on  Gen.  Clinton's  hand  bill  which 
required  every  man  having  but  three  children,  and  every 
single  man  to  do  six  months  duty  out  of  their  own  pro- 
vince when  required.    This  appeared  like  compulsion,  in- 


110  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

stead  of  acting  voluntarily  as  they  conceived  doing;  con- 
sequently they  were  ready  to  give  up  the  cause ;  but  owing 
to  the  exertions  of  the  Officers,  a  great  part  which  I  at- 
tribute to  myself,  the  tumult  was  happily  appeased,  and 
the  same  night  in  Sep.  we  marched  with  all  the  horses  and 
some  foot  past  Gilbert  town  towards  Col.  Grimes,  who 
was  raising  a  body  of  rebels  to  oppose  us,  whom  we  suc- 
ceeded in  dispersing,  taking  many  prisoners ;  and  the  foot 
at  Gilbert's  town  and  encamped  there  for  some  time ; 
sending  away  the  old  men  to  their  houses,  and  several  of- 
ficers to  raise  men  to  supply  their  places  and  strengthen 
us.  Col.  Ferguson  soon  afterwards  got  intelligence  that 
Col.  McDole  was  encamped  on  Cane  and  Silver  Creeks, 
on  which  we  marched  towards  the  enemy,  crossed  the 
winding  creek  23  times  found  the  rebels  strongly  posted 
toward  the  head  of  it  toward  the  mountain.  We  attacked 
them  instantly,  and  after  a  determined  resistance  defeat- 
ed them,  and  made  many  prisoners.  The  rest  fled  to- 
wards Turkey  Cove  in  order  to  cross  the  mountains  and 
get  to  Holston  settlements. 

On  this  occasion  I  commanded  a  division  and  took 
the  person  prisoner,  who  was  the  keeper  of  the  records  of 
the  county  which  I  sent  to  my  fathers  as  a  place  of  safe- 
ty. We  then  fortified  Col.  Walker's  house  as  a  protection 
to  the  wounded,  and  proceeded  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels  to 
the  mountains  on  Cataba  river,  sending  out  detachments 
to  search  the  country  and  caves.  (This  was  the  time  Col. 
Ferguson  sent  Col.  Shelby's  nephew,  Samuel  Philips,  one 
of  the  prisoners  taken  in  this  raid,  over  the  mountain  to 
tell  them  if  they  did  not  come  over  and  join  him,  he 
would  come  and  hang  them.) 

A  fight  happened  in  the  neighborhood  between  a  de- 
tachment of  ours  and  the  Americans  who  were  posted  on 
a  broken  hill  not  accessible  to  horses,  which  obliged  us 
to  dismount,  and  leave  our  horses  behind.  Whilst  em- 
ployed in  dislodging  the  Americans,  another  party  of 
them  got  around  and  took  all  the  horses,  mine  among  the 
rest;  but  it  was  returned  by  the  person  who  was  my 
prisoner  in  the  last  affairs;  about  a  week  before  he  was 
released,  as  was  usual  at  this  time  with  prisoners. 

Octr.  At  this  period  the  North  Carolina  men  joined 
us  fast.  Our  spies  returned  from  beyond  the  mountains 
with  intelligence  that  the  rebels  were  embodying  rapid- 
ly. Other  spies  brought  us  word  that  Col.  Clarke  had 
taken  Fort  Augusta  with  its  stores,  etc.,  on  which  we 
marched  towards  White  Oak  and  Green  River  to  inter- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  111 

cept  him  on  his  return  from  Georgia.  Col.  Ferguson  de- 
tached the  horse  in  three  divisions,  one  under  my  com- 
mand to  proceed  along  the  Indian  line  until  I  could  make 
out  Clarke's  route,  and  join  Captain  Taylor  at  Bailey 
Earle  Fort.  I  proceeded  as  far  as  Tyger  river  and  there 
learning  that  Clarke  had  gone  up  the  banks  of  bushy 
fork  of  Seluda  river,  I  took  six  of  the  best  mounted  men 
and  got  on  his  track  until  I  overtook  the  main  body  and 
one  of  the  enemy  prisoners  in  view  of  it,  whom  I  car- 
ried to  Col.  Ferguson  who  thus  obtained  the  information 
wanted. 

Oct.  4th.  Our  spies  from  Holston,  as  well  as  some 
left  at  the  Gap  of  the  mountain  brought  us  word  that  the 
rebel  force  amounted  to  3,000  men ;  on  which  we  re- 
treated along  the  north  side  of  the  Broad  river,  and  sent 
the  wagons  along  the  south  side  as  far  as  the  Cherokee 
ford,  where  they  joined  us.  We  marched  to  King's  Moun- 
tain and  there  camped  with  a  view  of  approaching  Lord 
Cornwallis  army  and  receiving  support.  By  Col.  Fergu- 
son's orders  I  sent  express  to  the  Militia  officers  to  join 
us  here,  but  we  were  attacked  (Oct.  7th)  before  any 
support  arrived  by  1500  picked  men  from  Gilbert  town 
under  command  of  Cols.  Cleveland,  Shelby  and  Camp- 
bell, all  of  whom  were  armed  with  rifles,  well  mounted, 
and  of  course  could  move  with  the  utmost  celerity.  So 
rapid  was  the  attack  that  I  was  in  the  act  of  dismounting 
to  report  that  all  was  quiet  and  the  pickets  on  the  alert 
when  we  heard  their  firing  about  a  half  mile  off.  I  im- 
mediately paraded  the  men  and  posted  the  officers.  Dur- 
ingt  his  short  interval  I  received  a  wound  which  however 
did  not  prevent  me  from  doing  my  duty;  and  going  to- 
wards my  horse  I  found  he  had  been  killed  by  the  first 
discharge. 

King's  Mountain  from  its  height  would  have  enabl- 
ed us  to  oppose  a  superior  force  with  advantage  had  it 
not  been  covered  with  wood  which  sheltered  the  Ameri- 
cans and  enabled  them  to  fight  in  their  favorite  man- 
ner. In  fact  after  driving  in  our  pickets,  they  were  able 
to  advance  in  three  divisions  under  separate  leaders  to 
the  crest  of  the  hill  in  perfect  safety  until  they  took  post 
and  opened  an  irregular  but  destructive  fie  from  behind 
trees  and  other  cover.  Col.  Cleveland  was  first  perceiv- 
ed and  repulsed  by  a  charge  led  by  Col.  Ferguson.  Col. 
Shelby  next,  and  met  a  similar  fate,  being  driven  down 
the  hill,  last  by  Col.  Campbell,  and  by  desire  of  Col.  Fer- 
guson I  presented  a  different  front  which  opposed  it  with 
success.     By  this  time  the  Americans  who  had  been  re- 


112  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

pulsed  regained  their  position,  and  sheltered  by  the  trees 
poured  in  a  destructive  fire.  In  this  manner  the  engage- 
ment was  maintained  an  hour,  the  mountaineers  flying 
when  in  danger  from  a  bayonet  charge,  and  returned  as 
soon  as  the  British  faced  about  to  repel  another  of  their 
party.  Col.  Ferguson  was  at  last  recognized  by  his  gal- 
lantry, although  wearing  a  hunting  shirt  and  fell  pierced 
by  seven  balls,  at  the  moment  he  had  killed  the  Ameri- 
can Col.  Williams  with  his  left  hand.  (The  right  being 
useless.) 

I  had  just  rallied  the  troops  a  second  time  by  Fergu- 
son's orders  when  Captain  Depeyster  succeeded  to  com- 
mand and  after  gave  up  and  sent  out  a  flag  of  truce,  but 
as  the  Americans  resumed  firing,  afterwards  ours  renew- 
ed under  the  supposition  that  they  would  not  give  quar- 
ter. And  a  dreadful  havoc  took  place  until  the  flag  was 
sent  out  the  second  time  when  the  work  of  destruction 
ceased.  The  Americans  surrounded  us  with  double  line, 
and  we  grounded  arms,  with  the  loss  of  one  third  of  our 
numbers.  I  was  wounded  in  the  first  fire,  but  was  so 
much  occupied  that  I  scarcely  noticed  until  the  action 
was  over.  We  passed  the  night  where  we  surrendered 
amidst  the  dead  and  the  groans  of  dying,  who  had  not 
surgical  aid  or  water  to  quench  their  thirst.  Early  next 
morning  we  marched  at  rapid  pace  towards  Gilbert  town 
between  double  lines  of  Americans,  the  officers  in  the  rear 
and  obliged  to  carry  two  rifles  each,  which  was  my  fate 
although  wounded  and  stripped  of  my  shoes  and  buckles 
in  an  inclement  weather  without  cover  or  provision  until 
Monday  night  when  each  was  served  with  an  ear  of  corn. 
At  Gilbert  town  a  mock  tryal  was  held  and  24  sentenced 
to  death,  10  of  whom  suffered  before  the  approach  of 
Tarleton's  force  obliged  them  to  move  towards  the  Yad- 
kin, cutting  and  striking  us  by  the  road  in  a  savage  man- 
ner. Col.  Cleveland  then  (Oct.  11th)  offered  to  enlarge 
me  on  condition  that  I  would  teach  his  regiment  one 
month  the  exercise  practiced  by  Col.  Ferguson,  which  I 
refused,  although  he  swore  I  would  suffer  death  at  the 
Moravian  town.  Luckily  his  threat  was  not  put  to  the 
test  as  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  make  my  escape  one 
evening  when  close  to  that  place. " 

The  rest  of  Captain  Chesney's  story  deals  with  his 
hardships  until  he  finally  reached  Charleston,  where  his 
British  officers  saw  that  he  had  a  home  of  comfort  for  his 
wife  and  child,  while  he  continued  in  service  under  Lord 
Rawdon  in  and  about  South  Carolina.  After  the  surren- 
der of  Cornwallis  he  sailed  for  England. 


XI 


SUNDRY  PENSION  DECLARATIONS 

In  this  chapter  are  given  the  application  papers  of 
John  Adair,  Richard  Allen,  Andrew  Carson,  Elizabeth 
Carter,  William  Lenoir,  Hezekiah  Love,  and  James  Sevier. 
In  seeking  the  benefit  of  the  pension  law  of  1832  the  de- 
clarant was  required  to  specify  his,  or  her  husband's  ser- 
vices in  the  Revolution,  and  to  mention  the  officers  under 
whom  the  service  took  place.  This  was  to  enable  the 
Pension  Office  to  tell  whether  the  information  in  the  state- 
ment was  authentic.  Some  of  the  narratives  of  this  per- 
iod, relating  events  of  fifty  or  more  years  earlier,  are  in- 
teresting and  important. 

JOHN  ADAIR'S  SERVICE 

State  of  Kentucky 
County  of  Wayne 
s.  s. 

On  the  2...th  of  September,  1832,  personally  appear- 
ed in  open  court  (It  being  Court  of  Record)  before  the 
Justices  of  the  Court  of  the  county  of  Wayne,  and  State 
of  Kentucky,  now  sitting,  John  Adair,  a  resident  of  Unit- 
ed States  of  America,  in  the  county  of  Wayne,  State  of 
Kentucky,  aged  seventy  eight  years,  who  being  first  duly 
sworn  according  to  law  doth  on  his  oath,  make  the  follow- 
ing Declaration  in  order  to  obtain  the  benefits  of  Act  of 
Congress  passed  June  7th,  1832. 

That  he  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States  un- 
der the  following  named  officers,  and  service  as  herein 
stated.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  in  the  county  of  Antrim 
in  the  year  of  1754.  His  father  with  him  and  family  came 
to  America  and  landed  at  Baltimore,  the  year  he  cannot 
state  with  certainty,  but  it  was  when  he  was  a  youth, 
perhaps  not  quite  18  years  old.  His  father  lived  in  Mary- 
land a  little  upwards  of  a  year.  He  then  moved  to  Penn- 
sylvania and  stayed  there  something  like  12  months.  His 
father  then  moved  with  the  family  to  Sullivan  county, 
North  Carolina  (where  the  applicant  lived)  but  now  Ten- 
nessee. When  the  war  of  the  Revolution  commenced  he 
lived  in  Sullivan  county  aforesaid,  until  sometime  in  the 
year  of  1791,  when  he  moved  from  said  county  to  the 


114  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

place  now  called  Knox  County,  State  of  Tennessee.  He 
lived  about  14  years  in  Tennessee.  Then  he  moved  to 
Wayne  county  Kentucky  about  27  or  28  years  ago,  where 
he  has  since,  and  now  lives.  He  lived  in  Sullivan  county, 
North  Carolina,  when  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  as  a  volunteer  private  soldier  with  a  number  of 
men  in  the  Militia  to  go  against  the  Indians.  He  states 
that  it  was  usual  in  the  part  of  the  country  he  lived  for 
the  men  to  volunteer  in  small  companys  without  any  com- 
missioned officers,  to  range  or  scour  the  country  and 
march  against  the  Indians.  He  states  that  the  Captain 
or  supreme  officer,  who  commanded  them  in  their  expe- 
ditions was  by  the  name  of  Campbell.  He  states  he  volun- 
teered at  different  times.  He  cannot  state  the  number  of 
times  or  length  of  each,  that  he  was  out,  at  least  three 
months.  They  marched  about  the  head  of  Clinch  river, 
a  place  called  Elk  Garden,  and  Blackmore's  Fort.  It 
was  against  the  Indians  they  marched.  It  was  the  latter 
part  of  1776.  The  Indians  were,  as  he  was  informed,  of 
the  Shawnee  tribe,  and  commanded  by  a  Chief  called 
Logan.  He  states  in  the  year  of  1777  or  1778,  as  well  as 
now  he  recollects,  he  was  drafted  as  a  private  in  the  Mili- 
tia for  the  term  of  six  months.  He  lived  then  in  Sullivan 
county,  North  Carolina.  Captain  George  Brooks  com- 
manded the  company  when  raised.  They  ranged  and 
marched  over  the  country  about  the  head  of  Clinch  river, 
and  sometimes  on  the  waters  of  Big  Sandy.  He  states 
that  during  the  six  months  tour  they  had  no  important 
engagement.  They  marched  against  the  Indians,  and 
frequent  skirmishes,  one  he  recollects  above  the  place  of 
Elk  Garden.  He  states  he  served  the  six  months.  He 
was  discharged,  and  returned  home  to  Sullivan  county. 
He  states  he  received  a  written  discharge,  had  lost,  or 
mislaid  it,  so  he  can't  find  it.  He  states,  in  the  spring 
following,  he  volunteered  as  a  private  in  the  Militia  of 
Sullivan  County,  to  watch  the  Indians  as  a  spy,  in  a  com- 
pany commanded  by  James  Elliott.  He  states,  he  sped 
at  the  head  waters  of  Clinch  river,  also  on  the  old  Ken- 
tucky road,  and  frequently  at  a  place  called  Flat  Rock. 
He  states,  he  was  to  receive  $1.50  a  day  for  service,  but 
never  received  anything.  He  states,  he  served  three 
months  as  a  spy  in  that  company,  and  was  then  discharg- 
ed. He  received  a  written  discharge,  but  from  the  great 
length  of  time,  and  not  viewing  it  as  of  much  importance 
to  him  has  lost  it.  He  states  that  the  next  year,  in  the 
spring,  probably  about  the  first  of  March,  his  father  was 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  115 

drafted  as  a  private  in  the  Militia,  to  be  marched  and  to 
be  forted  at  the  mouth  of  the  north  neck  of  the  Holston, 
to  defend  the  frontier  from  the  depredation  of  the  In- 
dians. He  states,  he  marched,  and  went  in  place  of  his 
father.  That  they  forted  at  the  mouth  of  the  Holston. 
He  states,  that  the  Captain  who  commanded  the  com- 
pany was  Samuel  Brashear.  Brashear  lived  in  Sullivan 
county,  N.  C.  He  states,  he  served  three  months  and 
was  discharged,  but  received  no  written  discharge.  They 
were  no  important  engagements  during  the  three  months. 
Sworn  and  subscribed,  the  day,  and  the  year  afore- 
said, in  open  Court. 

JOHN  ADAIR 

COL.  RICHARD  ALLEN,  SR. 

(Extract  from  the  declaration  for  pension  (dated 
Sept.  4,  1832,  of  Col.  Richard  Allen,  a  resident  of  Wilkes 
County,  North  Carolina.) 

That  he  was  born  on  the  26th  day  of  November, 
1741,  in  Baltimore  County,  the  State  of  Maryland,  the 
record  of  which  is  made  in  his  old  family  Bible ;  that  he 
continued  to  reside  in  the  said  County  until  he  was  twen- 
ty-one years  of  age  when  he  removed  to  Frederick  Coun- 
ty, in  the  State  of  Virginia,  where  he  lived  about  seven 
years,  and  then  removed  to  Rowan  County  (now  Wilkes), 
in  N.  Carolina  which  was  in  the  month  of  September, 
1770.  In  the  month  of  October  or  November,  1775,  he 
entered  the  service  of  the  United  States  as  a  volunteer 
for  six  months  in  Capt.  Jesse  Walton's  Company  of  min- 
ute men  (it  being  the  first  company  ever  raised  in  the 
county  of  Wilkes),  of  which  company  he  was  appointed 
first  Sergeant.  Immediately  after  the  company  was  rais- 
ed and  organized  they  marched  to  Salisbury,  where  they 
remained  about  sixteen  days  engaged  in  training  and  ex- 
ercising the  men,  after  which  they  were  discharged  and 
returned  home,  where  they  arrived  a  few  days  before 
Christmas. 

On  the  13th  day  of  February,  following  they  set 
out  upon  their  march  for  Cross  Creek  or  Fayetteville, 
having  understood  that  the  Scotch  Tories  were  committ- 
ing depredations  in  the  country  around  about  that  place. 
On  their  way  they  were  joined  by  Col.  Martin  Armstrong 
with  the  Surry  militia  at  a  place  called  Old  Richmond. 
After  joining  Col.  Armstrong  they  continued  their  march 
until  they  reached  Randolph  County,  where  they  were 
joined  by  Col.  Alexr.  Martin  of  the  Continental  line  with 


116  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

a  small  body  of  troops  under  his  command.  From  thence 
they  pursued  their  march  direct  to  Cross  Creek  or  Fay- 
etteville.  The  day  before  they  arrived  at  that  place  a 
battle  had  been  fought  between  the  Tories  under  Gen'! 
McDonald  and  the  Whig  militia  under  Gen'l  Moore  in 
which  the  former  were  defeated  with  considerable  loss 
and  a  great  number  taken  prisoners.  The  prisoners  taken 
in  this  engagement  were  delivered  over  to  Capt.  Jesse 
Walton  and  his  company  who  were  ordered  as  a  guard 
to  convey  them  to  Hillsboro.  They  immediately  set  out 
with  the  prisoners  for  that  place  but  before  they  reached 
it  they  were  met  by  two  companies  of  Light  Horse  under 
the  command  of  Captains  Mebane  and  Shepard  who  took 
charge  of  the  prisoners,  when  Capt.  Walton  and  his  com- 
pany were  discharged  and  returned  home,  where  they 
arrived  the  29th  March,  having  been  gone  near  two 
months. 

After  their  arrival  at  home  they  met  twice  every 
week  and  continued  to  train  and  exercise  themselves  un- 
til their  term  of  six  months  had  expired.  Not  long  after 
the  expiration  of  his  first  term  this  deponent  was  chosen 
an  ensign  in  the  company  of  militia  commanded  by  Capt. 
Benj.  Cleveland,  and  very  soon  afterwards  they  received 
orders  from  Col.  Armstrong  to  go  against  the  Indians  who 
were  committing  great  depredations  upon  the  frontier  of 
the  Western  part  of  N.  Carolina.  In  this  expedition  they 
served  about  two  weeks  principally  in  scouring  the  fron- 
tier settlements.  Soon  after  their  return  orders  were  re- 
ceived by  Captain  Cleveland  fom  Col.  Armstrong  to  take 
his  company  and  go  in  pursuit  of  Col.  Roberts  (a  Tory 
Col.)  who  had  embodied  a  number  of  Tories  on  the  North- 
west side  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  They  immediately  set  out 
in  pursuit  of  Col.  Roberts  and  continued  to  pursue  him 
and  his  company  without  being  able  to  overtake  them 
until  they  advanced  considerably  into  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia, when  they  learned  that  Roberts  had  disbanded  his 
men  and  that  they  had  dispersed.  Upon  receiving  this 
information  they  returned  home,  having  been  gone  about 
three  weeks. 

Early  in  the  year  1778,  Captain  Benjamin  Cleveland 
was  appointed  a  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  this  deponent 
was  appointed  to  succeed  him  as  Captain  of  the  company 
which  commission  he  held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In 
the  latter  part  of  the  year  1779,  a  call  was  made  for 
troops  to  march  to  the  defense  of  Charleston.  A  draft 
was  made  from  the  militia  in  Wilkes  for  the  company 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  117 

and  a  draft  also  made  from  the  Captains  of  Companies 
for  a  Captain  to  command  that  company.  The  lot  fell 
upon  this  deponent  and  he  accordingly  repaired  with  his 
company  to  Hamblin's  old  store,  where  they  rendezvous- 
ed on  the  13th  of  January,  1780.  As  soon  as  they  could 
organize  and  make  the  necessary  preparations  they 
marched  direct  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  they  joined 
the  third  regiment  of  North  Carolina  militia,  commanded 
by  Col.  Andrew  Hampton.  After  joining  the  regiment 
they  were  stationed  about  two  miles  from  the  city  at  the 
smoke  camps  where  they  remained  a  considerable  time 
and  until  a  report  obtained  currency  that  the  Tories  in- 
tended to  set  fire  to  the  town  and  thereby  enable  the  Brit- 
ish to  effect  a  landing. 

Upon  hearing  of  this  report  Gen.  Lincoln  ordered  all 
the  troops  into  the  city  where  they  remained  until  the 
term  of  service  of  this  deponent  and  his  men  expired, 
when  they  were  discharged  and  returned  home,  where 
they  arrived  sometime  in  the  month  of  April,  1780,  hav- 
ing been  gone  between  three  and  four  months.  From  the 
month  of  April,  to  September,  1780,  this  deponent,  with 
small  detachments  of  the  men  under  his  command,  serv- 
ed three  short  tours,  the  precise  length  of  each  not  par- 
ticularly recollected,  one  of  which  was  against  a  body  of 
Tories  assembled  near  the  head  of  the  Catawba  river,  an- 
other against  Col.  Bryan  (a  Tory  Col.)  who  had  embodi- 
ed a  band  of  Tories  in  the  Southern  part  of  the  State,  and 
the  other  against  some  Tories  on  the  north-west  side  of 
the  Blue  Ridge.  In  these  three  tours  this  deponent  be- 
lieves he  served  about  two  months.  In  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember, 1780,  information  was  received  by  Col.  Benjamin 
Cleveland  that  Maj.  Ferguson  of  the  British  army  was 
advancing  from  South  Carolina  with  a  large  body  of  Brit- 
ish and  Tories,  upon  which  Col.  Cleveland  immediately 
issued  orders  for  all  the  troops  within  the  County  of  Wil- 
kes to  rendezvous  at  the  Court  House.  This  deponent 
with  what  men  he  could  collect  repaired  thither  imme- 
diately and  after  the  troops  were  organized  they  all  set 
out  on  their  march  to  meet  Maj.  Ferguson.  Upon  the 
way  they  were  joined  by  Cols.  Sevier,  Shelby,  and  Mc- 
Dowell, with  troops  from  North  Carolina.  After  a  junc- 
tion of  the  troops  was  formed,  as  most  of  them  had  horses 
it  was  proposed  that  all  those  who  had  horses  or  could 
procure  them  should  advance  immediately  upon  Fergu- 
son. This  deponent  had  a  horse  and  was  anxious  to  pro- 
ceed with  the  main  army  but  as  a  great  many  were  on 


118  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

foot  and  would  necessarily  be  left  behind,  it  became 
necessary  that  the  charge  of  those  should  be  committed 
to  some  officer.  *  The  command  of  the  foot  men  was  first 
offered  to  Col.  Herndon  but  he  positively  refused  to  ac- 
cept it  unless  this  deponent  who  he  said  had  more  exper- 
ience than  himself,  could  be  detailed  to  stay  with  him. 
In  this  state  of  affairs  Col.  Cleveland  thought  proper  to 
order  this  deponent  to  remain  in  charge  of  the  foot  men 
and  he  according  done  so.  They  continued  their  march, 
however,  with  all  possible  speed  in  the  direction  of  King's 
Mountain  but  was  not  able  to  reach  it  in  time  to  engage 
in  the  battle,  it  having  been  fought  and  the  Americans 
with  their  prisoners  being  on  their  return  some  short  dis- 
tance before  they  met  with  them.  When  they  rejoined 
the  army  they  continued  with  them  and  assisted  in  guard- 
ing the  prisoners  until  they  proceeded  as  far  as  the  Mo- 
ravian towns  in  the  County  of  Stokes,  and  after  remain- 
ing there  a  considerable  time  they  were  relieved  by  Col. 
Winston  with  a  detachment  of  fresh  troops,  and  Col. 
Cleveland  and  his  men  returned  home,  which  place  they 
reached  some  time  in  November — the  precise  time  not 
recollected — but  they  were  in  service  in  this  expedition 
about  two  months. 

About  the  latter  part  of  January,  1781,  an  express 
arrived  at  Capt.  Benjamin  Herndon's,  in  Wilkes,  from 
Gen.  Davidson,  informing  that  Lord  Cornwallis  was  ap- 
proaching the  State  from  South  Carolina  and  requesting 
that  as  many  troops  as  possible  should  be  collected  im- 
mediately to  oppose  him.  This  deponent  collected  all  the 
men  under  his  command  that  he  could  get  and  set  out 
with  the  other  troops  from  the  County  in  order  to  rendez- 
vous at  Salisbury;  but  when  within  about  fourteen  miles 
of  Salisbury  they  heard  that  Lord  Cornwallis  had  cross- 
ed the  Catawba  and  was  then  in  Salisbury.  Upon  receiv- 
ing this  information  they  changed  the  direction  of  their 
route  and  marched  towards  Salem  in  order  to  join  Gen. 
Green  who  was  at  that  time  supposed  to  be  on  Dan  river 
or  near  the  borders  of  Virginia.  When  they  had  advanc- 
ed as  far  as  Person  County,  North  Carolina,  they  received 
orders  from  Gen.  Green  to  return  and  endeavor  to  form 
a  junction  with  Gen.  Pickens,  who  was  expected  to  be 
advancing  from  South  Carolina  through  what  is  now  East 
Tennessee  and  to  inform  him  of  the  situation  of  affairs  as 
also  to  conduct  him  through  the  country  so  that  he  might 
be  within  a  convenient  distance  of  Gen.  Green's  army  and 
to  co-operate  with  him  if  necessary.    They  did  return  and 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  119 

this  deponent  met  with  Gen.  Pickens  at  Mitchell's  river 
in  the  County  of  Surry,  and  conducted  him  to  Salem 
where  they  joined  Col.  Locke  with  his  regiment.  When 
they  left  Salem  Gen.  Pickens  and  Col.  Locke  with  the 
respective  troops  under  their  command  separated,  the 
former  taking  the  direct  road  to  Hillsboro  and  the  latter 
taking  a  route  leading  higher  up  the  country.  This  de- 
ponent was  attached  to  the  troops  under  Col.  Locke  and 
when  they  had  proceeded  as  far  as  Stony  Creek  in  the 
County  of  Guilford  or  Rockingham,  information  was  re- 
ceived from  Gen.  Pickens  that  a  large  number  of  Tories 
had  embodied  themselves  with  Col.  Pyles,  and  requesting 
Col.  Locke's  troops  to  repair  with  all  possible  dispatch  to 
meet  him  at  Trollinger's  ford  on  Haw  river.  Col.  Locke 
with  his  troops  set  out  immediately  but  before  they  reach- 
ed Trollinger's  Ford  Gen.  Pickens  had  engaged  with  the 
Tories  and  defeated  them.  As  soon  as  they  heard  of  the 
defeat  of  the  Tories  they  turned  their  course  and  march- 
ed directly  for  Gen.  Green's  army  which  they  met  with 
near  the  High  Rock.  After  remaining  with  Gen.  Green 
a  few  days  Col.  Locke's  regiment  was  discharged  and  re- 
turned home  together  with  some  others  of  the  troops.  In 
this  expedition  this  deponent  served  a  month  to  five 
weeks. 

In  addition  to  the  service  above  enumerated  this  de- 
ponent performed  a  number  of  short  tours  (amounting 
perhaps  to  twenty),  against  the  Tories  in  various  parts  of 
the  Country,  and  disarming  and  arresting  suspected  per- 
sons and  bringing  them  to  trial,  but  it  would  be  impossible 
for  him  to  specify  the  particular  periods  of  these  ser- 
vices. 

This  deponent  further  states  that  he  was  duly  com- 
missioned as  an  Ensign  and  Captain  as  stated  in  the  fore- 
going declaration.  He  cannot  now  recollect  by  whom  the 
Ensign's  commission  was  signed,  but  he  believes  the 
Captain's  commission  was  signed  by  Governor  Caswell — 
both  of  which  are  lost  or  mislaid  so  that  they  cannot  now 
be  produced. 

RICHARD  ALLEN,  SEN'R. 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed,  the  day  and  year  aforesaid, 
R.  ALLEN,  J.  P. 

STATE  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  IREDELL  COUNTY 

On  this  day  22d  day  of  August,  1832  Personally  ap- 
peared in  open  court  now  sitting  for  said  county,  Andrew 
Carson,  a  resident  of  said  county  and  state,  aged  76  years, 


120  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

who  being  duly  sworn,  doth  on  his  oath  make  the  follow- 
ing declaration  in  order  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  the  act  of 
June  7th,  1832.  The  first  campaign  he  served  under 
Captain  Joseph  Dixon,  Lt.  Carr  or  Kerr,  Ensign  Ewin. 

He  does  not  recollect  the  year — but  it  was  in  the  fall, 
recollect  the  snow  was  plenty — it  was  cold — went  out  to 
Ninety-Six,  South  Carolina,  under  command  of  General 
Rutherford — his  son  James  Rutherford  was  aid  to  his 
father.  Wm.  Lee  Davidson  was  adjutant,  was  gone  three 
months,  and  discharged  at  SherrelFs  ford,  by  Captain 
Dixon,  which  discharge  is  lost. 

Next  campaign  was  against  the  Cherokee  Indians 
under  the  command  of  Captain  David  Caldwell,  defeated 
them  on  the  Tennessee  river,  and  destroyed  their  towns. 
Do  not  remember  the  names.  Next  campaign  was  under 
General  Rutherford  on  the  Savannah  river.  He  was  four 
months  in  the  fall  of  1778-9  under  General  Rutherford 
and  General  Lincoln  and  was  discharged  by  these  two 
Generals.  From  this  time  until  Shadow  Ford  battle,  he 
was  in  several  tours  of  days  and  weeks  at  a  time  not  recol- 
lected. He  was  one  month  under  Wade  Hampton,  and 
in  another  tour  under  Cap.  D.  Caldwell  after  Tories.  He 
was  under  four  weeks  tour  with  General  Davidson,  31 
days  under  Captain  John  Graham, — he  was  always  on 
the  alert,  and  considered  a  good  minute  man,  with  a  good 
horse  and  gun. 

He  was  born  in  Rowan  county,  North  Carolina, 
March  1st,  1756,  and  when  in  the  service  he  was  on  the 
Catawba  in  that  part  of  Rowan,  now  Iredell  county,  and 
now  lives  there.  He  was  mostly  in  what  is  called  the  par- 
tisan warfare,  and  very  little  with  the  regulars  as  the  Tor- 
ies of  North  Carolina  were  sufficient  to  keep  the  Whigs 
engaged.  He  had  a  family  record  as  kept  by  his  father; 
it  is  lost. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Andrew  Carson  hath  served 
fifty-two  days  in  my  company  in  actual  service  by  general 
order.     Given  under  my  hand  March  ye  23,  1781. 

D.  CALDWELL,  Captain. 

Several  other  officers  certified  to  his  service  in  the 
Revolution. 

Inscription  on  tombstone  in  the  family  burying 
ground  near  Houstonville,  Iredell  County,  N.  C. 

CAPTAIN  ANDREW  CARSON 

Born  1st  March,  1756 

Died  29th  January,  1841 

He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  121 

State  of  Tennessee    ) 
Carter  County  ) 

On  this  8th.  day  of  December,  1838  personally  ap- 
peared before  me  David  Nelson,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  the  County  of  Carter  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  Eliza- 
beth Carter  a  resident  of  Elizabethton  in    the    County 
aforesaid,  aged  seventy  three  years  on  the  ninth  day  of 
July  last,  who  being  first  duly  sworn  according  to  law, 
doth  on  her  oath  make  the  following  declaration  in  order 
to  obtain  the  benefit  of  the  provision  made  by  the  Act  of 
Congress  passed  July  7th,  1838,  entitled  an  act  granting 
half  pay  and  pensions  to  certain  widows.     That  she  is 
the  widow  of  Landon  Carter  who  was  a  Captain  of  the 
militia  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  as  she  is  informed, 
and  believes  that  said  Carter  as  a  Captain  raised  a  com- 
pany of  soldiers,  principally  volunteers  and  served  a  tour 
of  duty  of  four  months  or  nearly  so  under  Col.  John  Se- 
vier and  Col.  Arthur  Campbell,  in  the  years  seventeen 
hundred  and  eighty  and  eighty  one,    in    an    expedition 
against  the  Cherokee  Indians.     The  said  Landon  Carter 
as  she  believes  set  out  with  his  company  in  the  month  of 
November  in  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty  and 
marched  from  the  upper  part  of  East  Tennessee,  his  then 
residence  supposed  to  be  Washington  County,  to  the  Blue 
Springs  supposed  to  be  situated  in  what  is  now  Blount 
County,  Tennessee,  when,  where  Col.  John  Sevier  met  & 
fought  the  Cherokees,  in  which  battle  the  Indians  loss 
was  estimated  at  about  thirty,  and  in  which  my  husband 
commanded  as  a  Captain.     After  said  battle  the  said 
troops  marched  back,  as  she  believes,  to  Buckingham  Is- 
land near  the  mouth  of  Boyd's  Creek,  where  they  were  re- 
inforced by  Col.  Arthur  Campbell  who  took  the  command 
and  marched  the  troops  to  the  Cherokee  Nation  &  took 
several  towns  to  wit:  Chota,  Chilhowee,  Tellico,  High- 
naupte  (Highwassee? — L.  C.  D.)  and  returned  after  an 
absence  of  near  four  months.    She  further  declared  that 
said  Carter  as  she  believes  served  another  tour  of  duty  in 
the  Fall  of  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty,  one  as  a  Cap- 
tain.    The  particulars  of  which  she  is  not  now  able  to 
state,  but  believes  he  set  out  with  his  Company  to  join 
Gen.  Marion  in  the  south,  and  was  in  service  about  four 
months.     She  further  declares  that  she  was  married  to 
the  said  Landon  Carter  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  Feb- 
ruary seventeen  hundred  and  eighty  four.    That  her  hus- 
band the  aforesaid  Landon  Carter  died  on  the  fifth  day 
of  June  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred.    That  she  was  not 


122  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

married  to  him  previous  to  his  leaving  the  service  but  the 
marriage  took  place  previous  to  the  first  of  January  seven- 
teen hundred  and  ninety  four,  viz,  at  the  time  above  stat- 
ed. She  further  declares  that  she  has  no  documentary 
evidence  to  her  knowledge  by  which  she  can  establish 
the  services  aforesaid.  She  further  declares  that  she  is 
now  a  single  woman  and  has  been  so  ever  sine  the  death 
of  her  said  husband  Landon  Carter,  never  having  mar- 
ried. 

Her 
ELIZABETH  X  CARTER 
Mark 
State  of  Tennessee    ) 
Carter  County  ) 

Personally  appeared  before  me  David  Nelson,  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Carter  County,  Jeremiah  Camp- 
bell, Esq.,  aged  seventy-six  years  this  day,  who  being  first 
duly  sworn  according  to  law  doth  upon  his  oath  say  that 
in  the  month  of  September  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty 
one,  he  set  out  as  a  private  in  the  company  of  Captain 
Landon  Carter  from  the  County  of  Washington,  State  of 
Tennessee  to  join  Gen.  Greene  or  Marion  in  the  south. 
That  Capt.  Carter's  company  was  delayed  in  starting  and 
did  not  get  to  start  with  Col.  Sevier.  Sevier  crossed  the 
Yellow  Mountain,  as  it  was  said  Carter  crossed  the  Stam 
(Stone — L.  C.  D.)  Mountain,  and  went  by  the  way  of 
John's  River  and  joined  Sevier  at  the  Tuckaseege  Forge 
(Ford — L.  C.  D.)  on  the  Catawba  River  in  the  North 
Carolina,  from  thence  they  went  on  by  the  way  of  Char- 
lotte in  North  Carolina  and  joined  Gen.  Green  at  the  high 
hills  of  Santee,  but  Gen.  Green  having  gone  into  Winter 
quarters,  Col.  Sevier  staid  but  a  few  hours  with  Greene. 
But  passed  on  immediately  to  join  Gen.  Marion  and  did 
join  him  in  the  swamps  of  Santee  River  near  the  British 
encampment  which  was  then  at  Marks  (Monks — L.  C.  D.) 
Corner.  This  junction  of  Sevier  and  Marion  he  thinks 
took  place  about  the  latter  part  of  October.  They  re- 
mained under  his  command  until  they  started  home,  he 
cannot  state  the  precise  day  on  which  they  got  home  but 
believes  it  was  in  the  latter  part  of  February  having  been 
in  service  near  five  months,  the  exact  time  he  cannot  now 
state.  He  further  states  that  during  all  the  time  men- 
tioned the  aforesaid  Landon  Carter  commanded  as  his 
Captain  and  was  considered  a  good  officer.  He  further 
states  that  he  was  well  acquainted  with  Capt.  Carter, 
afterwards  Gen.  Carter,  'till  his  death.     That  said  Car- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  123 

ter  he  believes  died  in  June  eighteen  hundred.  That  he 
has  been  acquainted  with  his  widow  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Car- 
ter the  applicant  for  a  pension  ever  since.  That  she  is 
now  a  single  woman  and  has  been  so  ever  since  the  death 
of  her  husband  the  aforesaid  Landon  Carter. 
Sworn  to  15th  December,  1838. 

JEREMIAH  CAMPBELL 

State  of  Tennessee    ) 
Carter  County  ) 

Personally  came  before  me  David  Nelson,  an  acting 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  county  aforesaid,  Doctor  Isaac 
Taylor  and  after  being  sworn  duly,  saith  that  he  was 
personally  acquainted  with  Landon  Carter  Sr.  (the  re- 
puted father  of  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Carter)  and  Isaac  saith  on 
oath  that  in  the  year  of  eighty,  he  thinks  sometime  in  No- 
vember that  he  went  out  with  Landon  Carter  against  the 
Cherokee  Indians  and  said  Carter  acted  as  Capt.  that 
they  served  nearly  four  months  tour  against  the  said 
Cherokee  Indians  in  the  company  of  said  Carter,  who  had 
raised  a  company  of  nearly  all  volunteers.  That  during 
the  campaign  Carter  and  his  company  were  in  one  battle 
in  which  there  were  about  thirty  Indians  killed.  The  battle 
was  fought  at  a  place  called  Blue  Springs  between  French 
Broad  and  Little  River.  Doctor  Taylor  thinks  that  place 
is  now  in  Blount  county  in  this  State.  Gov.  John  Sevier 
was  commander  in  chief  and  marched  back  to  Bucking- 
ham Island  near  the  mouth  of  Boyd's  creek  on  French 
Broad.  There  they  met  a  reinforcement  under  the  com- 
mand of  Col.  Arthur  Campbell.  The  said  Arthur  Camp- 
bell then  took  the  command;  they  then  marched  to  the 
Cherokee  Nation  and  took  five  principal  towns,  to-wit — 
Choto,  Chilkowe,  Tellico,  Hiwassa,  Chischewe,  and  then 
they  returned  home  and  during  the  said  time  the  said 
Landon  Carter  acted  the  part  of  a  brave  gentleman  and 
a  soldier  and  a  good  officer. 

Sworn  to  Nov.  1838. 

ISAAC  TAYLOR 
State  of  Tennessee     ) 
Washington  County  ) 

This  day  appeared  before  me  W.  K.  Blair,  a  Justice 
of  peace  for  the  said  county,  Darling  Jones  aged  seventy- 
five  years  and  being  duly  sworn  according  to  law  of  de- 
poseth  and  saith  that  he  during  the  war  of  independence 
served  in  one  tour  of  duty  in  the  year  of  1781  in  the  com- 
pany of  Captain  Landon  Carter  to  South  Carolina  to  the 


124  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

high  hills  of  Santee,  in  the  regiment  commanded  by  Col. 
John  Sevier,  that  we  marched  through  Charlotte  town, 
North  Carolina  and  Camden,  South  Carolina  to  the  high 
hills  of  Santee  where  General  Green's  army  lay  after  the 
battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  from  there  down  the  Santee  river 
to  where  General  Marion  lay  with  his  militia  and  joined 
him.  We  had  no  battle  while  there,  but  took  on  a  Brit- 
ish garrison  without  fighting.  We  were  in  service  about 
four  months  and  was  then  discharged  and  returned 
home  in  the  winter.  We  went  from  Washington  County, 
North  Carolina,  Colonel  Isaac  Shelby  and  his  regiment 
was  along  from  Sullivan  County. 

DARLING  JONES 
Sworn  to  8th  of  December,  1838. 

State  of  Tennessee     ) 
Washington  County  ) 

This  day  appeared  before  me  Henderson  Clark,  a 
justice  of  the  peace  for  said  county,  John  Clark  aged 
eighty,  and  being  duly  sworn  to  law  disposeth  and  saith 
that  he  served  a  tour  of  duty  of  the  year  of  1780  in  the 
summer  and  during  the  war  of  Independance,  that  he 
was  in  the  company  of  Captain  Samuel  Williams  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Charles  Robertson.  That  he  well 
recollects  that  Captain  Landon  Carter  commanded  a  com- 
pany at  the  time  in  said  regiment,  and  that  Colonel  Isaac 
Shelby  was  along  in  command  from  Sullivan  county,  that 
Colonel  William  Cocke  was  along.  We  marched  from 
Washington  County,  North  Carolina.  We  passed  a  place 
called  Gilbert  Town,  North  Carolina,  went  to  Cherokee 
Ford  on  Broad  river,  staid  about  two  weeks,  then  went 
and  took  an  enemy  Fort  on  a  creek  called  Thicketty,  and 
then  returned  to  the  main  army  at  the  Cherokee  Ford. 
From  the  Ford  we  marched  about  from  place  to  place  un- 
til we  thought  proper  to  return  home,  all  being  volun- 
teers, I  suppose  the  tour  was  between  two  and  three 
weeks. 

Sworn  to  5th  December,  1838. 

JOHN  CLARK 

LENOIR.    Pension  Statement  of  William 

In  May,  1833,  he  was  residing  in  Wilkes  County,  N. 
C,  and  states  he  was  born  May  8th,  1751,  in  Brunswick 
County,  Va.,  and  lived,  during  his  service  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  in  Surry  (now  Wilkes)   County  and  he 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  125 

has  resided  there  since.  He  was  a  volunteer  in  the  ser- 
vice and  that  his  commission  as  Lieutenant  was  signed 
by  Governor  Caswell,  as  he  believes,  but  by  whom  his 
commission  as  Captain  was  signed  he  cannot  say,  as  both 
are  lost.  After  the  said  war  he  was  promoted  to  higher 
rank  in  the  Militia  and  gave  no  attention  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  his  former  commission. 

In  the  year  1776,  a  requisition  was  made  by  the  gov- 
ernment, to  raise  a  certain  number  of  Militia,  as  minute 
men,  and  he  volunteered  as  a  private  (although  he  was 
Lieutenant  in  the  Militia  Company  of  Capt.  Joseph  Hern- 
don)  under  Capt.  Jesse  Walton,  which  was  soon  ordered 
to  the  eastern  or  lower  part  of  N.  C,  to  suppress  an  in- 
surrection of  the  Scotch  Tories.  After  he  had  proceeded 
about  fifty  miles  assisted  in  the  capture  of  the  Tory, 
Colonel  Gideon  Wright,  whose  house  was  surrounded  in 
the  night,  and  conveyed  him  to  the  little  town  of  Rich- 
mond, where  he  was  disposed  of  in  some  manner  not  now 
recollected.  After  this  event  Lenoir  was  taken  sick  on 
the  road  rendering  him  unable  to  travel  and  Capt.  Wal- 
ton discharged  him.  He  made  his  way  home  with  much 
difficulty.  The  calls  for  Militia,  from  Surry  County  to 
suppress  insurrection  were  repeated  in  quick  succession 
and  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  travel  he  volunteered  as  a 
Lieutenant  of  Militia  Co.,  to  which  he  belonged,  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Herndon,  which  marched  to  Shallow 
Ford  on  the  Yadkin,  distant  60  or  70  miles,  from  the  place 
of  rendezvous,  when  orders  were  received  to  return  home. 
A  very  short  time  after  the  Company  was  ordered  to  the 
same  point  of  destination  as  before  and  after  marching 
the  same  distance,  they  were  again  directed  to  return 
home.  In  these  two  expeditions  Lenoir  was  absent  five 
weeks. 

As  Surry  was  a  frontier  county  the  inhabitants  were 
much  annoyed  and  alarmed  by  the  frequent  depredations 
of  the  Indians,  it  was  necessary  for  the  public  safety  and 
security  that  active  measures  should  be  adopted  to  effect 
that  object  and  Lenoir  was  selected,  by  the  Colonel  of 
the  County,  to  raise  a  Company  of  Rangers  to  patrol  the 
frontier  settlement  and  protect  them  from  the  incursions 
of  the  Indians.  In  obedience  to  this  order  he  organized  a 
Company  which  was  stationed  at  a  convenient  point  on 
the  headwaters  of  the  Yadkin  River,  from  whence  they 
ranged  the  country  on  the  Blue  Ridge  for  a  considerable 
distance  as  well  as  west  of  it,  between  the  water  of  the 
Yadkin  and  New  River,  the  inhabitants  of  which  locali- 


126  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

ties,  from  depredations  and  the  great  danger  of  their  ex- 
posure, were  compelled  to  abandon  their  homes  to  seek 
security  in  the  interior  settlements.  In  this  service,  he  be- 
lieves, he  was  engaged  as  Captain  of  the  Company  for  6 
weeks  or  upwards  in  the  summer  of  1776. 

In  August  1776  he  volunteered  as  Lieutenant  with 
Capt.  Benjamin  Cleveland  in  an  expedition  against  the 
Cherokee  Indians.  His  Company  of  Rangers  having  just 
returned  from  the  expeditions  above  mentioned,  were  not 
all  prepared  to  join  another,  he  accepted  the  position  un- 
der Capt.  Cleveland,  who  had  a  very  large  Company  that 
required  two  Lieutenants,  of  which  he  was  the  first.  He 
set  out  on  the  march  under  Colonel  Martin  Armstrong, 
the  Colonel  of  the  County,  direct  to  the  Pleasant  Garden, 
in  the  County  of  Burke,  where  they  joined  General  Grif- 
fith Rutherford  to  make  the  necessary  organizations  and 
other  arrangements.  From  thence  they  went  to  the  Chero- 
kee Nation,  the  towns  which  were  generally  abandoned, 
except  by  straggling  Indians,  women  and  children.  Capt. 
Cleveland  was  stationed  with  a  few  men  at  the  middle 
towns,  while  Lenoir  was  appointed  to  the  command  of 
the  remainder  of  the  Company,  and  marched,  under  Col- 
onel Armstrong,  to  the  Hiawassee  towns,  which  they  de- 
stroyed and  killing  some  Indians.  The  S.  C.  Militia  was 
to  have  met  General  Rutherford  at  the  Middle  Towns, 
but  upon  his  arrival  no  intelligence  could  be  obtained 
from  them  and  he  set  out  for  the  Hiawassee  towns  as 
before  stated.  After  the  departure  of  General  Ruther- 
ford from  the  Middle  Towns,  the  S.  C.  Troops  arrived 
there  and  immediately  started  for  Hiawassee  with  ex- 
pectation of  joining  him  at  that  place,  but  taking  a  differ- 
ent route  they  were  attacked  on  the  way  by  a  party  of 
Indians  who  had  formed  an  ambuscade,  but  by  the  skill- 
ful and  prudent  conduct  of  their  officers  they  were  dis- 
lodged with  a  considerable  number  killed  whom  it  is  be- 
lieved they  carried  off.  The  S.  C.  troops  lost  about  15 
men  who  were  buried  in  a  swamp  and  upon  whom  they 
constructed  a  pole  causeway,  over  which  the  Militia 
marched  as  they  returned  from  the  Hiawassee  to  the  Mid- 
dle Towns.  Lenoir  served  20  days  as  Captain  on  this  oc- 
casion. After  having  destroyed  the  Indian  towns,  with 
all  their  stock,  corn,  and  other  property  that  could  be 
found,  the  troops  returned  to  N.  C,  and  their  respective 
homes.  Although  but  few  were  killed  in  this  expedition, 
yet  from  the  fatigue,  exposure  and  privation,  a  great  num- 
ber died  after  they  arrived  home  much  of  which  Lenoir 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  127 

suffered.  He  believed  he  served  70  days  as  Lieutenant, 
making  with  the  twenty  days  as  Captain,  three  months. 
After  his  return  home  he  was  appointed  Captain  of  the 
Company  in  the  District  where  he  resided,  which  rank  he 
held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1777  Surry  County 
was  divided  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  and  Lenoir  was 
included  in  that  portion  which  is  now  Wilkes  County,  but 
his  Company  District  was  the  same.  Shortly  after  the  di- 
vision he  was  ordered  by  Colonel  Benjamin  Cleveland 
who  was  Colonel  of  the  County,  to  march  his  Company 
down  Hunting  Creek  to  detect  some  outlying  Tories  and 
other  suspicious  characters.  He  was  unsuccessfully  em- 
ployed for  some  weeks  in  the  Spring  of  1778.  In  the  Fall 
of  1778  he,  with  his  Company,  accompanied  Colonel 
Cleveland  over  the  Blue  Ridge  and  down  New  River  to 
Virginia  to  detect  and  subdue  some  Tories  who  infested 
that  section  of  the  country  and  captured  some  of  them 
and  thus  restoring  tranquility  and  apparent  security  to 
the  settlements,  recrossed  the  mountains  for  their  homes. 
The  Tories  taken,  after  an  examination,  were  permitted 
to  go  at  large  by  promising  future  loyalty  to  the  cause 
of  independence.  In  some  instances  Colonel  Cleveland 
administered  the  oath  of  allegiance.  He  was  gone  about 
26  days.  He  was  again  ordered  out  with  his  Company  to 
march  across  Brush  Mountain  together  with  other  troops 
under  Colonel  Cleveland,  to  subdue  some  Tories  on 
Cowe's  Creek  and  its  waters,  who  kept  that  neighborhood 
in  a  state  of  alarm.  A  Tory  by  the  name  of  Williams 
was  captured,  from  whom  they  endeavored  to  obtain  in- 
formation relative  to  suspected  persons,  but  he  refused 
to  give  any  until  Col.  Cleveland  adopted  the  expedient 
of  hanging  him  to  the  limb  of  a  tree,  or  a  bent  down  sap- 
ling, which,  however,  did  not  produce  the  desired  effect. 
This  was  repeated  a  second  time  with  more  severity,  then 
only  to  give  encouragement  to  the  Whigs  and  alarm  to 
the  Tories.  The  result  of  the  expedition  was  to  restore 
a  tolerable  state  of  security  in  that  part  of  the  country. 
He  was  absent  20  days. 

In  May  or  June,  1779  information  was  received  that 
the  Tory  Captain  Whitson  with  a  Company  was  commit- 
ting great  depredations  on  the  waters  of  the  Catawba,  and 
Lenoir  was  ordered  with  his  Company  and  some  others 
to  march  under  Col.  Cleveland  up  the  Yadkin  River,  and 
across  the  Catawba,  in  quest  of  Whitson.  On  the  march 
down  the  Catawba,  Colonel  Larkin  Cleveland,  a  brother 
of  Colonel  Benjamin,  was  badly  wounded  by  a  shot  from 


128  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

a  high  cliff  of  rocks,  supposed  from  a  Tory,  who  made  his 
escape.  Capt.  Lenoir,  with  a  detachment  of  forty  men, 
well  mounted,  was  ordered  to  patrol  the  country  between 
the  Catawba  River  and  the  South  Fork  after  Whitson, 
which  they  did  all  night  without  success.  On  their  re- 
turn Colonel  Cleveland  returned  home,  after  an  absence 
of  about  one  month.  A  short  time  after  this  last  service 
Colonel  Cleveland  received  (late  in  the  afternoon)  intelli- 
gence that  the  Tories  were  embodying,  towards  the  head 
of  the  Yadkin,  whereupon  he  repaired  immediately  to 
Wilkes,  C.  H.,  distant  fourteen  miles  from  his  residence, 
where  Lenoir  with  what  men  he  could  collect  immediate- 
ly joined  in  and  by  their  united  exertion  succeeded  in 
raising  about  200  men,  and  at  daybreak  on  the  following 
morning  had  marched  to  the  place  where  the  Tories  were 
said  to  be,  a  distance  estimated  at  21  miles,  but  the  Tories 
had  fled  with  great  precipitation  towards  the  south.  They 
promptly  pursued  them  with  all  possible  speed  as  far 
as  Lincolnton,  but  did  not  arrive  until  after  the  celebrated 
battle  at  Ramsour's  Mills,  in  which  the  Tories  were  tri- 
umphantly defeated  (June  20th,  1780).  Upon  hearing  of 
this  event  they  returned  home,  absent  about  one  month. 

In  August  or  September  1780  he  was  ordered  by 
Colonel  Cleveland  to  march  with  his  Company  south- 
wardly against  the  British  and  Tories  who  were  harassing 
the  people  to  great  extremities  in  Burke  County,  and 
Colonel  Cleveland  receiving  information  of  the  encamp- 
ment of  about  100  Tories  at  Little  John's  Meeting  House, 
a  few  miles  in  advance  of  his  troops,  directed  him  to  se- 
lect 25  men,  well  mounted,  to  approach  the  Tory  camp 
until  they  fired  upon  him,  with  strict  injunction  to  retreat 
without  returning  the  fire,  in  order  to  lead  them  into  am- 
buscade, which  he,  Colonel  Cleveland,  would  form  for 
that  purpose.  This  arrangement  was  countermanded  by 
an  express  which  was  received  before  the  Tory  Camp  was 
reached,  and  all  the  men  ordered  to  return  except  five,  to 
be  selected  by  Lenoir,  with  whom  he  was  to  proceed  to  ex- 
ecute the  original  arrangement,  but  he  found  the  camp 
abandoned.  They,  however,  advanced  considerably  far- 
ther into  Burke  County,  where  they  joined  a  regiment 
from  Virginia  under  Colonel  Campbell  and  some  Militia 
from  the  Northwestern  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge  under  Col- 
onels Sevier  and  Shelby,  together  with  the  Militia  of 
Burke  County  under  Col.  Charles  McDowell.  With  these 
reinforcements  the  march  was  continued  southwardly  un- 
til reaching  Rutherford  County,  when  they  were  inform- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  129 

ed  of  the  progress  and  advance  of  a  large  body  of  British 
and  Tories,  commanded  by  Colonel  Ferguson.  Upon  this 
intelligence  orders  were  immediately  given  for  every  man 
that  had  a  horse,  or  could  procure  a  suitable  one,  to  be 
ready  to  march  at  sunrise  the  next  morning  to  oppose 
Ferguson.  There  being  no  regular  officer  or  even  soldier 
except  two  belonging  to  the  troops  (and  they  having  join- 
ed as  Militia  men)  nor  no  militia  officer  above  the  grade 
of  Colonel,  it  was  agreed  that  Colonel  Campbell  of  Vir- 
ginia should  command  the  whole  detachment.  They  ac- 
cordingly took  up  the  line  of  march  at  the  appointed  time 
(leaving  behind  all  those  who  had  been  unable  to  procure 
horses)  and  on  the  way  they  were  joined  by  some  militia 
from  South  Carolina  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wil- 
liams, which  augmented  their  number  to  about  700,  ac- 
cording to  the  best  calculation  which  he  (Lenoir)  could 
make  (the  footmen  who  were  left  behind  amounting  to 
about  1500).  They  continued  their  march  all  day  that 
day  and  all  night,  it  being  very  dark  and  rainy,  and  on 
the  next  day  (being  the  7th  October  1780)  attacked  Col- 
onel Ferguson  on  King's  Mountain,  near  the  line  between 
North  and  South  Carolina,  and  after  a  hot  engagement, 
which  lasted  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  achieved 
the  total  defeat  of  Colonel  Ferguson  and  his  whole  army, 
every  man  of  whom  was  in  camp  at  the  commencement 
of  the  action,  being  either  killed  or  taken.  The  killed  on 
the  side  of  the  enemy  being  estimated  at  250  and  on  the 
side  of  the  Whigs  at  32.  The  remainder  of  the  army 
amounting  to  about  937,  according  to  the  best  estimate 
which  could  be  made  from  the  papers  of  the  commander, 
were  detained  as  prisoners  of  war.  In  this  action  he 
(Lenoir)  received  two  wounds  from  bullets,  one  in  his 
side  and  the  other  in  his  arm,  and  a  third  bullet  passed 
through  his  hair  above  where  it  was  tied. 

The  next  day  the  American  army  started  on  their 
return  with  the  prisoners  (of  whom  as  counted  by  Capt. 
Lenior,  725  were  embodied  men)  who,  exclusive  of  of- 
ficers, wounded,  sick,  etc.,  were  compelled  to  carry  the 
guns  that  had  been  taken,  many  taking  two  guns  each, 
and  proceeded  on  until  they  met  with  the  footmen  who 
had  been  left  behind.  Together  they  marched  to  and 
halted  in  Rutherford  County,  where  a  court  martial,  com- 
posed of  field  officers,  selected  about  32  of  the  most  ob- 
noxious of  the  Tories  who  had  been  taken,  and  ordered 
them  to  be  hung.  After  executing  three  at  a  time  until 
nine  were  executed,  the  remainder  were  respited.     The 


130  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

army  then  left  Rutherford  County  with  the  prisoners  for 
the  Moravian  towns  in  Stokes  County,  where  they  were 
stationed  a  considerable  time  guarding  them,  until  reliev- 
ed by  other  troops,  then  Capt.  Lenoir  with  his  Company 
returned  home.     Absent  three  months. 

About  the  time,  but  before,  Lord  Cornwallis  arrived 
at  Salisbury  from  S.  C,  Capt.  Lenoir,  with  his  Company 
volunteered  and  also  six  other  Captains  from  Wilkes 
County  with  their  Companies,  marched  to  join  Gen. 
Greene,  as  they  expected  at  Salisbury.  On  the  way,  there 
being  no  Field  Officers  with  the  troops,  a  dispute  arose  be- 
tween Lenoir  and  Capt.  Benjamin  Herndon  respecting 
their  seniority,  or  who  was  entitled  to  assume  the  com- 
mand, and  being  unable  to  determine  it  themselves, 
agreed  to  leave  it  to  the  soldiers  to  make  choice  of  a  com- 
mander for  that  tour,  when  all  but  six  followed  Lenoir, 
and  he  assumed  command  accordingly. 

Before  reaching  Salisbury  he  was  informed  Gen. 
Greene  had  marched  toward  Virginia,  and  Cornwallis 
was  in  or  near  Salisbury  and  he  changed  his  course  to- 
wards Salem,  crossing  the  Yadkin  at  Enoch's  Ferry.  On 
the  way  he  succeeded  by  stratagem  in  retaking  three  Brit- 
ish officers,  who  had  been  captured  by  General  Morgan 
at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  but  had  made  their  escape 
from  the  guard.  Several  outlying  Tories  were  also  taken 
who  were  in  the  Company  of  the  British  officers.  In  pur- 
suing his  march  they  camped  all  night  near  the  old  Mo- 
ravian town,  where  he  learned  that  the  British  Army  was 
then  in  that  place.  Not  knowing  where  to  find  Gen. 
Greene  he  turned  his  course  up  the  country  to  effect  a 
junction  with  General  Pickens,  which  took  place  near 
Mitchell's  River  in  Surry  County.  Selecting  about  forty 
mounted  infantry  he  joined  him  and  leaving  the  remain- 
der of  his  troops  which  were  under  his  command,  under 
the  commando!  Capt.  Herndon,  immediately  set  out  with 
General  Pickens  towards  Hillsboro,  at  which  place  Corn- 
wallis was.  Gen.  Pickens  having  understood  that  Tarle- 
ton  with  his  dragoons  and  infantry  had  crossed  Haw  Riv- 
er, set  off  immediately  in  pursuit,  after  being  joined  by 
Colonel  Lee  with  his  cavalry.  They  crossed  Haw  River 
at  Batler's  Ford,  but  before  overtaking  Tarleton,  fell  in 
with  a  body  of  Tories  under  Doctor  Pyles,  a  Tory  Colonel 
with  whom  they  immediately  engaged  and  literally  cut 
them  to  pieces.  Some,  however,  made  their  escape  and 
some  were  taken  prisoners.  When  the  conflict  first  com- 
menced it  was  believed  that  they  were  a  part  of  Col.  Tar- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  131 

leton's  infantry,  but  they  were  not.  Lenoir  escaped  with- 
out a  wound  himself,  but  had  his  horse  wounded  and  his 
sword  broken.  General  Pickens  learning  that  Tarleton 
was  encamped  at  Col.  O'Neil's  Mill  detached  Capt.  Le- 
noir with  a  few  men  to  reconnoitre  his  camp,  by  which 
means  he  learned  that  Tarleton  had  decamped  about  mid- 
night going  on  the  road  towards  Hillsboro.  General 
Pickens  being  apprised  of  this  movement,  started  forth- 
with in  pursuit,  but  finding  that  he  could  not  be  overtaken 
before  arriving  at  Hillsboro,  it  was  abandoned  and  he 
turned  his  course  up  the  north  side  of  Haw  River.  On 
the  following  second  or  third  night  it  was  learned  that 
the  whole  British  Army  was  after  General  Pickens  and 
near  at  hand,  Colonel  Lee,  with  his  dragoons,  having  left 
Gen.  Pickens.  Major  Micajah  Lewis  an  American  officer 
went  out  to  reconnoitre,  as  well  as  to  ascertain  the  facts, 
but  unfortunately  approaching  too  near  to  Tarleton's  dra- 
goons, believing  them  to  be  Lee's,  he  received  several 
wounds  that  terminated  his  life.  General  Pickens  con- 
tinued his  march  and  joined  General  Greene  near  the 
High  Rock  Ford  on  Haw  River. 

At  this  time  Lenoir  being  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Pleas 
and  Quarter  Sessions  for  Wilkes  County,  and  the  session 
of  the  Court  coming  on  in  a  few  days,  it  was  necessary 
for  him  to  return  home.  He  accordingly  obtained  leave 
of  absence  from  the  service.  Absent  six  weeks.  This  last 
expedition  terminated  his  military  service  during  the  war, 
although  considerable  other  service  was  performed  which 
has  not  been  enumerated  herein.  He  died  May  6th,  1839. 
In  a  letter  dated  Fort  Defiance  May  16th,  1833,  he  states 
that  he  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  cavalry  of  the  5th 
Division  of  N.  C.  Militia,  and  Major  General  of  said  5th 
Division  in  January,  1795. 

REVOLUTION  PENSION 

State  of  Tennessee,  Circuit  Court,  March  Term,  1832 
Roan  County. 

Be  it  remembered  that  on  the  —  day  of  March,  1832 
personally  appeared  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  the  County 
of  Roan  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  being  the  court  of  rec- 
ords Hezekiah  Love,  aged  eighty  years  the  tenth  of  Oc- 
tober, 1832,  and  made  the  following  declaration  in  order 
to  obtain  the  benefit  of  the  act  of  Congress  passed  the 
18th  of  March  1818  and  the  first  of  May,  1830  for  the 
benefit  and  the  relief  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution 


132  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Army.  Said  Hezekiah  Love  being  duly  sworn  in  open 
Court  deposeth  and  saith  as  follows  as  to  wit:  That  to 
the  best  of  his  recollections  and  belief  he  enlisted  in  the 
month  of  March  1776,  in  the  State  of  South  Carolina  as  a 
soldier  for  eighteen  months,  in  the  company  of  Captain 
Eli  Cashion  who  was  a  captain  in  the  regiment  command- 
ed by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mason,  and  the  first  Colonel  to 
the  best  of  my  recollection  was  of  the  name  of  Thompson, 
the  Christian  name  of  Colonel  Thompson  is  not  now  re- 
collected. That  he  was  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Moultrie, 
near  to  the  city  of  Charleston,  which  he  believed  hap- 
pened in  the  first  year  after  he  enlisted.  He  also  fought 
and  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Hanging  Rock,  about 
thirty  miles  above  the  town  of  Camden,  he  was  also  in 
the  battles  of  Columbia  and  Eutaw  Springs;  but  in  those 
two  last  engagements  he  fought  in  the  Militia,  he  was  also 
a  Militia  soldier  at  Sumpter's  defeat  and  the  battle  of 
Fish  Dam  Ford  on  Broad  river,  and  on  King  Mountain. 
At  the  time  of  the  Acts  of  Congress  were  passed  authoriz- 
ing payment  to  the  Revolutionary  soldiers  he  was  poses- 
sed  of  some  property  and  was  unwilling  to  take  the  oath 
required  from  applicants.  But  for  a  time  of  two  years 
and  a  little  afterwards  he  has  been  destitute  of  property. 
He  now  is  destitute  of  everything  like  property  except  his 
wearing  apparel. 

The  discharge  which  he  obtained  from  the  regular 
army  was  placed  in  the  house  of  his  brother  James  Love 
which  was  attacked  and  pillaged  by  a  party  of  Tories. 
It  is  out  of  his  power  so  far  as  he  knows,  for  he  thinks  the 
Tories  destroyed  it,  to  prove  his  service  as  a  regular  sol- 
dier, except  so  far  as  that  fact  may  be  established  by  the 
affidavit  of  Edward  Eskridge  Esq.,  which  accompanies 
this  declaration. 

Sworn  to  in  open  Court  March  12,  1832. 

His 
HEZEKIAH  X  LOVE 
Mark 
Henry  S.  Pinus,  J.  C. 

Robert  Christian  and  Milton  Center  respected  citi- 
zens and  freeholders  of  Roane  County,  make  oath  that 
they  are  acquainted  with  Hezekiah  Love  the  above  appli- 
cant for  a  pension,  and  that  they  know  he  has  no  proper- 
ty except  his  wearing  apparel,  and  that  is  of  very  com- 
mon inferior  sort  of  homespun  clothing. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  133 

Sworn  to  in  open  court,  March  12th,  1832. 

Robert  Christian 
Milton  Center 
H.  S.  Pinus. 
And  the  foregoing  declaration  and  affidavit  at  the 
request  of  the  parties,  be  permitted  to  be  spread  on  the 
records. 

State  of  Tennessee 

I,  William  Brown,  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Roane  County  by  my  deputy,  Henry  S.  Pinus  do  certify 
that  the  foregoing  declaration  and  affidavit  copied  from 
the  records  also  of  the  Court  ordered  and  permitted  them 
to  be  spread  on  the  records.  And  I  certify  further  that 
I  am  satisfied  that  the  facts  stated  in  said  declaration  and 
affidavit  relative  to  the  value  of  declarative  property  is 
correct. 

WILLIAM  BROWN,  Clerk 
By  his  Deputy,  Henry  S.  Pinus 

PENSION  STATEMENT 

James  Sevier,  Washington  County,  Tennessee :  Dec- 
laration, 11th  September  1832;  aged  68  years.  Served 
in  1780  in  his  uncle  Robert  Sevier's  company,  in  his 
father  Col.  John  Sevier's  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Kings 
Mountain ;  that  Capt.  Robert  Sevier  was  mortally  wound- 
ed in  that  battle  and  died  a  few  days  after:  that  imme- 
diately after,  the  regiment  collected  at  a  place  called  the 
Swan  Ponds,  in  now  Greene  County;  Col.  John  Sevier 
commanded,  Jesse  Welton  &  Jonathan  Tipton  were  the 
majors:  Affiant  was  in  Capt.  Landon  Carter's  company: 
Left  home  the  last  of  November,  met  the  Indians  in  force 
on  the  South  Side  of  French  Broad,  on  Boyd's  Creek,  and 
had  a  pretty  severe  engagement  with  them  in  which  we 
were  successful,  must  have  been  more  than  two  months 
on  this  tour. 

Shortly  after  Gen.  Greene's  battle  with  the  British  at 
the  Eutaw  Springs,  there  was  a  request  made  for  men 
from  this  side  of  the  mountains,  who  were  to  serve  three 
months  after  they  joined  General  Greene.  My  Father,  Col. 
J.  Sevier,  &  Lt.  Col.  Charles  Robertson,  commanded  the 
Washington  troops;  Valentine  Sevier  and  Jonathan  Tip- 
ton were  the  Majors;  commanded  our  march  for  South 
Carolina  in  September,  1781,  we  passed  through  Morgan- 
town  and  Charlotte,  N.  C,  and  through  General  Gate's 
battle  ground;  joined  General  Greene,  at  the  High  Hills 
of  Santee,  where  he  was  recruiting  his  men  after  the  se- 


134  TEE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

vere  service  at  Eutaw;  we  were  sent  on  to  join  General 
Marion  in  the  swamps  of  Santee;  while  with  General 
Marion,  declarent  was  one  of  a  party  that  took  a  British 
post  below  Monk's  Corner,  consisting  of  about  a  hundred 
men.  They  had  fortified  round  a  large  brick  tenement, 
belonging  to  a  Mr.  Colleton:  The  officers  commanding 
the  Americans  were  Colonels  Sevier,  Mayhew,  Oree, 
(Horry)  or  Horre,  and  Maj.  Valentine  Sevier.  We  made 
some  attempt  to  take  some  of  their  outposts,  but  found 
them  all  evacuated.  I  suppose  called  in  by  the  British 
General.  Having  served  out  the  time,  we  returned  home, 
although  General  Marion  expressed  a  great  desire  that 
we  should  remain  a  few  weeks  longer.  My  father,  Capt. 
Carter,  and  most  of  his  company,  did  stay  for  some  con- 
siderable time  longer,  and  were  then  discharged.  Be- 
lieves he  was  upwards  of  four  months  from  home  on  this 
service. 

Shortly  after  his  return  home  from  S.  C,  he  thinks 
in  February,  1782,  there  was  an  Indian  alarm,  and  call 
for  men ;  that  himself  and  an  elder  brother  who  had  re- 
turned from  Virginia  that  fall ;  equipt  themselves  as  vol- 
unteers and  went  about  fifty  miles  to  the  place  of  rendez- 
vous on  Holston  river;  that  shortly  after  they  got  there, 
and  before  many  men  had  collected,  the  weather  became 
extremely  cold,  and  a  deep  snow  fell,  so    that    it    was 
thought  the  Indians  would  not  disturb  the  frontier  people 
at  that  time,  and  that  it  would  be  most  advisable  to  break 
up  and  return  home ;  we  did  so.    Who  was  the  officer  that 
ordered  out  the  men  at  that  time  I  do  not  recollect,  un- 
less it  was  Col.  Charles  Robertson,  as  my  father  and  Cap- 
tain Carter  had  not  returned  at  that  time  from  S.  C.  My 
brother  and  myself  joined  no  company,  and  think  were 
not  more  than  two  weeks  from  home.    That  through  the 
summer  of  1782,  the  lower  Cherokees  near  the  Lookout 
Mountain  and  on  Coosa  River  were  very  troublesome.    As 
soon  as  their  crops  were  matured  my  father  raised  an 
army  of  men,  set  out  the  last  of  August  or  first  of  Septem- 
ber, and  went  and  destroyed  all  the  lower  towns  on  the 
waters  of  Tennessee,  and  two  towns  on  Coosa  River,  one 
call  Estanaula,  the  other  called  Spring  Frog's  Town,  two 
villages  on  the  waters  of  Coosa.     On  this  campaign  we 
had  no  fighting.     The  body  of  Indians  kept  out  of  our 
way;  we  took  some  seven  or  eight  prisoners,  (warriors), 
with  a  number  of  women  and  children.    After  remaining 
some  length  of  time  in  the  Nation,  and  having  destroyed 
everything  that  came  within  our  grasp,  on  which  they 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  135 

could  support.  An  Indian  countryman  by  the  name  of 
Rodgers  came  in  with  a  flag  for  peace — the  Indians  were 
requested  if  they  wanted  peace  to  go  up  to  Old  Chota 
town,  on  Tennessee  River,  and  there  a  peace  talk  would 
be  held  with  them.  They  did  so ;  a  peace  was  made,  and 
the  prisoners  restored  to  their  friends.  Major  Valentine 
Sevier  was  all  the  Major  that  was  out  at  that  time,  as  I 
believe.  Declarent  served  in  Capt.  Alexander  Moore's 
company,  there  was  Capt.  Samuel  Weare  and  Capt.  Rob- 
ert Bean  who  commanded  companies,  the  other  captains 
now  forgotten.  I  believe  we  were  upwards  of  two 
months  on  that  campaign. 

In  August,  1780,  a  campaign  was  ordered  against 
the  Middle  Settlements  Indians,  the  place  of  meeting  was 
beyond  the  limits  of  the  Settlements,  one  Creek  called  In- 
dian Creek ;  that  he  was  one  of  the  men  that  met  to  go 
on  said  tour;  while  at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  and  wait- 
ing for  others  to  collect,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Hill  went 
into  the  mountain  to  hunt,  and  was  shot  at  by  an  Indian 
before  he  discovered  him,  but  being  missed,  and  seeing 
the  Indian,  he  fired  at  and  killed  him.  This  circumstance 
caused  a  mutiny  amongst  the  men.  They  were  afraid 
their  families  would  be  killed  in  their  absence,  broke  for 
home,  and  the  campaign  fell  through.  I  mention  this  to 
show,  that  I  was  twice  called  out  to  go  on  campaigns  that 
fell  through.  My  father,  in  this  latter  instance,  was  to 
have  commanded;  there  was  no  Major  that  I  recollect;  I 
believe  we  were  not  more  than  ten  days  or  two  weeks 
from  home. 

Early  in  the  summer  of  1781,  the  frontier  inhabitants 
became  much  alarmed  about  Indians.  My  father,  who 
was  Colonel  of  the  County,  ordered  out  a  Company  of 
Rangers,  or  what  was  then  called  a  scouting  party;  this 
declarent  was  one  of  that  party,  and  went  out,  and  James 
Hubbard  was  the  Captain,  as  well  as  he  recollects,  were 
out  about  two  weeks. 

Was  born  in  1764 ;  Col.  Richard  Campbell,  who  was 
killed  at  Eutaw  Springs  was  the  declarent's  uncle. 

(Had  married  the  sister  of  Maj.  James  Sevier's 
mother,  Sarah  Hawkins.) 


SECTION 
TWO 


PERSONAL  SKETCHES 

OF 

KING'S  MOUNTAIN  SOLDIERS 

The  paragraphic  sketches  below  are  in  alphabetic 
order,  the  orthography  used  by  Miss  White  being  almost 
always  followed. 

Names  marked  with  a  star  are  of  persons  not  clear- 
ly known  to  have  been  in  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain, 
or  not  explicitly  stated  as  such  in  the  manuscript.  Un- 
marked names  are  those  of  bona  fide  soldiers  present  in 
the  battle  or  of  persons  closely  associated  therewith. 

Dates  in  brackets  are  those  of  birth  and  death. 

When  Washington  is  mentioned  without  qualifica- 
tion, Washington  county  in  Virginia  is  meant.  When 
Lincoln  is  similiarly  mentioned,  Lincoln  county  in  North 
Carolina  is  referred  to. 

In  several  of  the  sketches  there  is  mention  of  Fin- 
castle  and  Tryon  counties,  neither  of  which  now  exists. 
Each  was  named  in  honor  of  a  royal  governor,  and  as  each 
governor  sided  with  Britain  in  the  war  for  American 
independence,  the  names  at  once  became  obnoxious  to 
the  whigs  and  were  abolished  by  the  simple  expedient  of 
subdividing  the  two  counties.  Fincastle,  named  for  the 
British  home  of  Governor  Dunmore  of  Virginia  was  divid- 
ed in  1776  into  the  counties  of  Montgomery,  Washington, 
and  Kentucky.  Tryon,  named  for  Governor  Tryon  of 
North  Carolina  was  divided  into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford. 

When  "the  battle"  is  spoken  of  without  special  ex- 
planation, the  battle  of  King's  Mountain  is  meant,  this 
being  the  express  subject  of  the  present  volume.  If  a 
soldier  was  "also"  in  one  or  more  other  specified  engage- 
ments, it  is  to  be  understood  that  he  was  present  at  King's 
Mountain. 

If  a  given  soldier  was  "under  Campbell"  he  was  pre- 
sumably a  resident  of  Virginia,  the  same  as  Campbell 
himself.  And  as  James  Williams  was  a  South  Carolina 
officer,  a  soldier  "under  Williams"  was  most  probably  a 
South  Carolinian. 

When  "Shelby",  "Sevier",  and  "Campbell",  are 
mentioned  without  front  names,  Isaac  Shelby,  John  Se- 
vier, and  William  Campbell  are  alluded  to,  these  being 


140  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

the  most  conspicuous  officers  under  the  three  respective 
names. 

Reference  is  repeatedly  made  to  Draper's  "King's 
Mountain  and  Its  Heroes,"  to  Eckenrode's  "Virginia  Mili- 
tia in  the  Revolution,"  and  to  Summers'  "History  of  South- 
west Virginia,"  the  last  named  book  containing  a  list  of 
King's  Mountain  men  from  Washington  County,  Virginia. 
By  "Draper  manuscripts"  is  meant  the  typewritten  copy 
of  Draper's  King's  Mountain  Papers,  in  two  large  vol- 
umes, placed  in  the  Calvin  McClung  Historical  Collections 
of  the  Lawson  McGhee  Free  Library,  Knoxville,  Tennes- 
see. 

Abernathy.  The  record  of  Robert  is  found  in  the 
North  Carolina  D.  A.  R.  Booklet,  Volume  IX.  In  1776  he 
was  a  delegate  from  Tryon  county,  the  legislature  then 
sitting  at  Halifax.  He  was  granted  a  pension  by  North 
Carolina  in  1833. 

Adair.  John*  was  born  1732  and  died  at  Grassy 
Valley,  four  miles  north  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  Febru- 
ary 24,  1827.  The  report  that  he  died  the  next  April 
was  because  his  will  was  probated  in  that  month.  He 
was  entry-taker  for  Sullivan  county  (now  Tennessee), 
and  had  collected  $12,000  from  the  sale  of  North  Caro- 
lina lands.  Colonels  Sevier  and  Shelby  begged  the  aid  of 
this  money  in  meeting  Ferguson's  threat  to  exterminate 
the  Watauga  people.  Adair  thus  replied :  "Colonel  Se- 
vier, I  have  no  authority  by  law  to  make  this  disposition 
of  the  money.  It  belongs  to  the  impoverished  treasury  of 
North  Carolina,  and  I  dare  not  appropriate  a  cent  of  it 
to  any  purpose ;  but,  if  the  country  is  overrun  by  the  Brit- 
ish, our  liberty  is  gone.  Let  the  money  go,  too.  Take  it. 
If  the  enemy,  by  its  use,  is  driven  from  the  country,  I  can 
trust  that  country  to  justify  and  vindicate  my  conduct. 
So  take  it."  The  fund  was  turned  over  to  Sevier  and 
Shelby  and  used  in  the  purchase  of  ammunition  and  mili- 
tary equipment.  The  two  colonels  agreed  to  refund  the 
money  unless  Adair's  act  were  legalized  by  the  legislature 
of  North  Carolina.  That  body  paid  the  claim  in  full  in 
1782  (see  Ramsay's  Annals.)  In  1791  Adair  settled  four 
miles  north  of  White  Station,  Knox  county,  Tennessee, 
and  under  North  Carolina  was  a  commissary  to  furnish 
provisions  to  the  Cumberland  Guards,  this  duty  calling 
him  to  the  extreme  frontier.  He  and  his  wife  were  buried 
at  Adair  Station,  now  the  "old  John  Smith  farm"  on 
Broadway  Street  near  Knoxville.  John  Smith  was  a  son- 
in-law. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  141 

A  son  or  near  relative  of  the  foregoing  was  the  John 
Adair  who  made  a  pension  declaration  in  Sullivan  coun- 
ty. In  many  of  the  pension  statements  by  the  soldiers 
who  fought  at  King's  Mountain  nothing  is  said  of  that 
battle,  because  it  was  fought  by  self-constituted  volun- 
teers and  was  not  for  a  long  while  officially  recognized  by 
the  Federal  government.  So  the  applicant  named  the 
service  that  was  more  certain  to  entitle  him  to  a  pension. 
The  statement  is  found  in  Chapter  XL 

Adams.  John  lived  in  Washington  county,  Tennes- 
see, and  many  descendants  are  still  in  the  east  of  that 
state.  In  1796  he  was  a  commissioner  for  Jonesboro.  He 
married  Winnie  Russell,  August  15,  1768,  and  had  a  son 
John. 

William  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1733,  served  in  the 
Fifth  South  Carolina  regiment,  and  died  in  York  county 
of  that  state  in  1799.  His  powderhorn  used  at  King's 
Mountain  is  still  in  the  family.  His  wife  was  Margaret 
Ewart,  and  a  son,  Rev.  James  S.,  married  Erexon  Mc- 
Ewen. 

Alexander.  Daniel  was  in  the  Mecklenburg  militia 
1778-1781.  When  granted  a  pension  he  was  on  the  in- 
valid list.  His  statement  includes  the  following:  "I  also 
volunteered  under  Captain  Martin  Fifer  on  the  same  day 
and  at  the  Moravian  Town  near  the  Yadkin  River,  and 
also  in  Guilford  Courthouse  (battle)  under  Captain  Alex- 
ander. We  were  called  out,  and  in  the  command  of 
Major  William  R.  Davie — an  attorney  and  officer,  later 
Minister  to  France,  I  believe — to  join  General  Gates  at 
Camden.  Major  Davie  was  a  tall  sallow-complexioned 
man  with  blue  eyes.  On  getting  as  far  as  Gaston's,  which 
is  near  the  South  Carolina  line,  we  met  the  American 
army  retreating.  General  Gates  and  Major  Davie  had 
some  conversation.  We  advanced  some  distance,  when 
on  meeting  some  French  officer  flying  we  also  joined  in 
the  retreat.  General  Gates  had  on  a  pale  blue  coat  with 
epaulettes,  velvet  breeches,  and  was  riding  a  bay  horse. 
We  retreated  as  far  as  Charlotte  very  much  fatigued  and 
worn  down." 

An  account  of  Elias  Alexander  is  in  a  foot-note  in 
Schenck's  History  of  North  Carolina.  He  was  born  in 
Rutherford  county  and  carried  to  his  grave  twenty-seven 
British  and  tory  balls.  Major  Green  of  the  same  county 
was  at  King's  Mountain  on  the  tory  side.  After  the  war 
Green  was  several  times  elected  to  the  state  senate  from 


142  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Rutherford.  In  1823  Alexander  resolved  to  have  Green 
beaten  and  brought  out  his  son  as  an  opposing  candi- 
date. To  gain  votes  Green  joined  the  Baptist  Church. 
Alexander  went  to  see  Green  baptized  in  Broad  River. 
When  the  major  rose  out  of  the  water,  wet  as  a  rat  and 
gasping  for  breath,  Alexander  drew  himself  to  his  full 
height  of  six  feet  three  inches,  and  towering  over  the 
people  sang  the  following  stanza : 
There  stands  old  Major  Green,  now  neat  and  clean, 

Though  formerly  a  Tory, 
The  damndest  rascal  that  ever  was  seen, 

Now  on  his  way  to  glory. 
The  verse  became  a  campaign  song  and  was  Green's  de- 
feat. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  James  Alexander  was  at 
King's  Mountain.  He  received  a  pension  for  service  in 
the  North  Carolina  militia. 

Jeremiah  was  under  Colonel  William  Campbell,  and 
received  a  pension  for  service  in  the  Virginia  militia. 

John  was  born  in  Rowan  county,  North  Carolina, 
married  Rachel,  a  sister  to  William  and  Samuel  David- 
son, and  moved  to  Lincoln  county.  His  son  James,  also 
born  in  Rowan,  was  at  King's  Mountain  and  also  at  the 
surrender  of  Cornwallis,  where  he  is  said  to  have  captur- 
ed the  camp  chest  of  the  British  general.  In  1782  he 
married  Rhoda  Cunningham  (born  1763)  and  in  1793 
moved  to  Bee  Tree  Creek  in  Buncombe  county,  where 
he  died.  His  own  son,  James  married  Nancy,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Foster,  in  1814. 

Oliver  served  under  Colonel  William  Campbell.  He 
was  one  of  the  magistrates  that  formed  the  first  court  of 
Blount  county,  the  opening  session  being  held  in  the  house 
of  Abraham  Weaver.  He  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Blount. 

William,  Jeremiah,  and  Oliver  are  all  listed  in  Sum- 
mer's History  of  Southwest  Virginia.  Eckenrode  has 
seven  William  Alexanders  in  his  list  of  soldiers  of  the 
Revolution,  and  the  pension  list  of  North  Carolina  has 
five.  Much  history  of  the  Alexanders  is  in  Hunter's 
Sketches  of  North  Carolina. 

Allen.  Moses  was  in  several  battles  with  the  Indians 
and  tories  before  going  to  King's  Mountain  under  Colo- 
nel Shelby.  He  received  a  pension  in  Washington  county, 
Virginia. 

Richard  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  moved  to 
Wilkes  county,  North   Carolina,   about   1770,  served  in 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  143 

many  battles  both  before  and  after  King's  Mountain,  and 
led  a  company  for  the  relief  of  Charleston  in  1780.  He 
chased  Bryan's  tories  out  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  in 
Greene's  army  in  1781.  He  became  a  colonel  of  militia, 
was  the  first  sheriff  of  Wilkes  county,  and  a  member  of 
the  legislature  in  1793.  He  died  in  Wilkes  county,  Octo- 
ber 10,  1833,  being  then  in  his  ninety-first  year.  The 
extract  in  Chapter  XI  is  taken  from  his  pension  declara- 
tion, dated  September  4,  1832. 

Vincent  Allen  was  from  Lincoln  county,  where  he 
afterward  received  a  pension. 

Allison.  John,  who  was  under  Colonel  Shelby,  was 
wounded  at  King's  Mountain  and  went  with  a  stiff  knee 
the  rest  of  his  life.  He  is  supposed  to  have  been  there  a 
captain,  as  he  was  ever  afterward  known  as  Captain  Jack 
Allison.  His  sons,  Robert  and  David  were  prominent  in 
the  episode  of  the  state  of  Franklin  and  in  Tennessee. 
John  Allison  the  immigrant  came  from  Ireland  and  set- 
tled in  Pennsylvania.  His  sons  John  and  Finly  settled 
in  Sullivan  County,  Tennessee,  about  1773.  John  Jr. 
married  a  Miss  Hodge,  whose  father  was  from  Wales. 
Their  sons  were  Isaac,  Francis,  Joseph,  Robert,  John, 
George  W.,  and  Jesse.  Their  daughters  were  Mary,  Eliza- 
beth, Susan,  and  Martha.  Francis,  Joseph,  George,  and 
Martha  died  single.  The  one  child  of  Isaac  was  Robert. 
The  first  wife  of  Robert  Sr.,  was  a  Hodge,  the  second 
was  Mary  Chester  Gammon.  His  son  John  also  married 
a  Miss  Hodge,  a  sister  to  Robert's  first  wife  and  afterward 
a  Miss  Pritchett,  leaving  children  by  both  unions.  Jesse 
married  a  Miss  Shell  of  Sullivan  county  and  had  issue. 
Mary  married  James  Scott,  also  of  Sullivan  and  a  cap- 
tain in  the  war  of  1812.  The  home  of  John,  the  veteran 
of  King's  Mountain,  was  on  the  site  of  the  Presbyterian 
Fork  Church  in  Sullivan  county.  His  son  Robert  (1795- 
1861)  had  a  handsome  residence  on  the  Stage  Road,  a 
mile  north  of  Jonesboro,  and  a  plantation  and  flour  mill 
on  Boone's  Creek.  His  wife  died  1887,  aged  seventy- 
seven.  John,  the  historian,  married  Sadie  Thomas 
Vaughn  of  Nashville,  1887,  was  many  years  chancellor 
of  the  court  of  the  Seventh  Division,  and  lived  in  the  colo- 
nial home  of  the  Vaughns.  His  book,  "The  Dropped 
Stitches  of  Tennessee"  is  now  very  rare  but  valuable  for 
the  light  it  throws  on  early  Tennessee  history. 

Alston.    William  was  born  in  Warren  county,  North 
Carolina,  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of 


144  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

1776,  and  was  appointed  by  that  body  lieutenant  colonel 
of  the  Third  Regiment.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Camden 
and  Eutaw  Springs,  and  after  the  abduction  of  Governor 
Burke  fought  the  tories  until  the  close  of  the  Revolution. 
He  died  in  Elbert  county,  Georgia,  where  live  descendants 
of  his  daughter,  Mary,  who  married  James  Clark.  Her 
mother's  first  name  was  Charity. 

Anderson.  George  was  a  captain  in  the  South  Caro- 
lina contingent,  according  to  the  Lineage  Book,  Volume 
XIX,  D.  A.  R.  Waddell's  Annals  of  Augusta  relates  that 
George  Anderson  with  his  wife  and  their  children,  Wil- 
liam, Margaret,  John,  and  Francis,  proved  importation 
from  Britain,  March  24,  1741. 

Jacob  was  living  in  Washington  county,  Virginia,  in 

1777,  and  joined  Campbell's  regiment.  He  received  a 
pension  in  Berkely  county,  Virginia,  1835. 

John*  had  land  in  Augusta  county  in  1738,  where 
he  proved  importation  for  himself,  his  wife  Jane,  and  his 
children  John,  Esther,  Mary,  and  Margaret  March  24, 
1741.  John  Jr.,  was  justice  in  Washington  in  1777,  and 
also  a  lieutenant,  serving  at  King's  Mountain  under  Col- 
onel Campbell. 

When  Colonel  William  Byrd  was  at  Long  Island  on 
Holston  River  in  1760,  he  was  accompanied  by  William 
Anderson  and  Gilbert  Christian,  both  of  whom  were  at 
King's  Mountain.  Summers'  History  of  Southwest  Vir- 
ginia tells  of  the  two  men  wandering  on  the  Holston,  and 
Ramsay's  Annals  of  Tennessee  mentions  their  trip  hither 
in  1769.    Draper  places  Anderson  in  Campbell's  regiment. 

Arbuckle.  Thomas  was  one  of  the  soldiers  sent  to 
Fincastle  county  to  protect  it  from  the  Indians,  and  was 
in  other  battles. 

Matthew,  supposed  to  be  a  brother  to  Thomas,  was 
a  captain  of  the  Virginia  militia,  a  justice  of  Botetourt 
in  1774,  and  fought  at  Point  Pleasant.  It  is  said  that  he 
was  at  King's  Mountain. 

Armstrong.  The  Lookout  Magazine  places  Robert  at 
King's  Mountain.  He  received  a  pension.  Ramsay's  An- 
nals says  that  in  1787  he  grew  a  crop  of  corn  on  Holston  a 
little  above  Swan  Pond.  He  settled  here  the  next  year. 
Colonel  Sevier  also  lived  here  at  one  time,  and  many  of 
his  King's  Mountain  soldiers  located  in  the  vicinity. 

Matthew  was  given  a  pension  by  North  Carolina  in 
1833. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  145 

William,  according  to  the  History  of  North  Carolina 
by  Davis,  was  in  several  other  battles,  including  that  of 
Guilford  Courthouse. 

Baker.  John  was  under  Colonel  Cleveland,  and 
when  his  commander  was  ambushed  by  the  Riddle  gang 
of  tories,  shortly  after  the  battle,  he  was  one  of  the  men 
who  went  to  rescue  him.  He  received  a  pension  (North 
Carolina  Records,  Volume  22).  Ramsay's  Annals  says 
there  was  a  John  Baker  in  the  Watauga  settlement  in 
1770,  and  that  he  was  one  of  the  Long  Hunters,  going  as 
far  as  Miro  in  Davidson  county. 

Balch.  Amos  was  born  in  Baltimore,  1758,  and  died 
in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  1835.  He  was  a  sergeant 
at  Camden  as  well  as  King's  Mountain,  and  Tennessee 
gave  him  a  pension  in  1832.  In  1793  he  was  a  justice  in 
Jefferson  county.  His  wife  was  Ann  Patton.  His  son 
James  who  married  Elizabeth  Hazlett,  has  descendants 
in  Middle  Tennessee.  The  manuscripts  of  the  Historical 
Society  of  Nashville  contain  a  receipt  by  Amos  Balch  to 
John  Gordon  for  rations  and  forage  for  the  militia  of 
Davidson  county. 

The  service  of  John  Balch  is  given  in  Volume  3,  D. 
A.  R.  Lineage. 

Ballew.  Richard  was  a  private  in  the  Burke  county 
troops  under  Colonel  Cleveland,  and  was  granted  a  pen- 
sion in  Harlin  county,  Kentucky,  February  14,  1831,  when 
seventy-one  years  old. 

Banning.  Benoni,  mentioned  by  Draper,  was  in  Cap- 
tain William  Edmondson's  company  of  Campbell's  regi- 
ment, and  was  wounded.  Eckenrode  mentions  three 
other  Bannings  as  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  from  Vir- 
ginia. 

Barker.  Charles,  Edmund,  Edward,  Enoch,  Joel,  and 
Henry  were  all  from  Washington  county,  Virginia,  and 
are  mentioned  both  by  Summers  and  Eckenrode.  Edmund 
received  a  pension  in  Washington,  1835. 

.Bartlett.  William  was  a  lieutenant  under  Captain 
William  Edmundson,  and  is  listed  by  Eckenrode  and  Saf- 
fell.  He  was  also  in  the  battle  at  Musgrove's  mill  and 
received  a  pension  in  Washington  county,  Virginia. 

Barnes.  Alexander  was  a  captain  under  Colonel  Wil- 
liam Campbell  from  1777  to  1780,  and  was  in  many  skir- 
mishes before  going  to  King's  Mountain. 


146  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Benjamin*  and  Shadrach*  were  on  the  pension  roll 
of  Virginia  from  Culpeper. 

Barnett.  Alexander  was  under  Colonel  Campbell 
and  received  a  pension. 

Barry.  Andrew  (1744-1811)  was  a  magistrate  be- 
fore 1775  and  enlisted  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. As  a  captain  of  South  Carolina  Rangers  he  was 
in  many  engagements,  including  those  of  Raniseur's  mill, 
Musgrove's  mill,  and  Cowpens.  His  wife  was  Margaret 
Katharine  Moore,  and  their  daughter  Katie  married  Ma- 
jor Jesse  Crook  of  the  Revolutionary  army.  Andrew  was 
buried  at  Walnut  Grove  on  the  Moore  plantation.  See 
Lineage  Book  2,  Habersham  Chapter,  D.  A.  R. 

Barton.  Benjamin  was  a  private  under  Colonel  Roe- 
buck of  South  Carolina,  and  died  in  that  state  in  1818. 
His  widow  received  a  pension  in  Pickens  district,  1845, 
when  eighty-one  years  old. 

John,  an  early  settler  in  Wilkes  county,  North  Caro- 
lina, was  there  a  magistrate  several  years.  He  moved  to 
South  Carolina  1785,  and  died  on  the  Tugalo  in  1827  aged 
seventy  years.  His  grave  is  on  the  eastern  slope  of 
Chauga  Creek  about  two  miles  above  the  burial  place  of 
Colonel  John  Cleveland. 

Bean  (also  spelled  Been.)  George,  Jesse,  John,  and 
Robert  were  all  Watauga  riflemen  under  Colonel  Sevier. 
Jesse  was  a  captain.  Draper  calls  them  the  "sharpshoot- 
ers from  Watauga."  Jesse  and  Robert  had  a  grant  of 
640  acres  in  Hawkins  county,  the  grant  being  signed  by 
Alexander  Martin,  governor  of  North  Carolina.  George 
settled  at  Been's  Station  in  Grainger  county,  1792.  Next 
year  he  advertised  in  the  Knoxville  Gazette  that  he  had 
opened  a  goldsmith's  and  jeweler's  shop,  and  was  also 
prepared  to  make  and  repair  guns.  George  and  Jesse 
were  sons. 

William  is  mentioned  by  Ramsay  as  captain  of  a 
company  that  routed  the  tories  from  Watauga  in  1778. 
Circumstantial  evidence  indicates  that  he  was  at  King's 
Mountain,  since  most  of  his  men  were  there.  Their 
names  were  John,  George,  and  Edmund  Been,  John  Con- 
dly,  Joseph  Duncan,  Thomas  Hardeman,  Aquilla  and 
Isaac  Lane,  Michael  Massingale,  James  Roddy,  William 
Stone,  Robert  and  Samuel  Tate.  One  of  the  tories  they 
routed  was  the  notorious  Captain  Grymes,  who  was  hang- 
ed the  day  after  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  147 

Bearden.  Jeremiah  and  John  were  under  Colonel 
Sevier.  Jeremiah  located  a  landgrant  at  Bearden  Sta- 
tion in  Knox  county,  Tennessee.  John  received  a  pen- 
sion in  the  same  county  in  1833. 

Beattie.  David,  John,  Francis,  and  William  are  list- 
ed by  Summers  and  Draper.  The  first  was  a  captain,  the 
second,  an  ensign,  was  killed.  David  (1752-1814)  mar- 
ried Mary  Beattie,  a  cousin,  and  settled  in  Washington 
county,  Virginia,  before  the  Revolution.  He  had  four 
sons  and  one  daughter.  His  brother  William  died  1860 
at  the  age  of  one  hundred  years.  Three  brothers  came 
from  Ireland  and  settled  first  in  Frederick  county,  Vir- 
ginia. Two  of  them,  John  and  Henry,  were  in  the  In- 
dian wars,  the  former  moving  to  Rockbridge.  He  was 
the  father  of  David. 

Henry*  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolution  but  I  do 
not  find  him  listed  as  a  King's  Mountain  soldier. 

Beeler.  Jacob  and  Joseph  were  under  Colonel 
Shelby  and  received  a  pension  in  Sullivan  county,  1832. 
Joseph  moved  to  Grainger  county.  His  son  Jacob  mar- 
ried Nancy,  a  daughter  of  Martin  Cleveland,  brother  to 
Robert  and  Colonel  Benjamin  of  Revolutionary  fame. 
Joseph,  son  of  Jacob  went  to  Jefferson  county  and  mar- 
ried Addie  Hickle.  Descendants  are  in  Grainger  and 
Jefferson. 

Bell.  Samuel,  a  pioneer  settler  of  Tennessee,  mar- 
ried Margaret,  daughter  of  Samuel  Edmondson,  and 
was  in  Shelby's  regiment.  The  sword  which  Edmondson 
had  at  King's  Mountain  is  in  the  rooms  of  the  Tennes- 
see Historical  Society. 

Thomas,  born  1760,  was  in  the  North  Carolina  mil- 
itia and  in  many  skirmishes  before  King's  Mountain.  He 
received  a  pension  in  Montgomery  county,  Tennessee, 
December,  1833. 

William  (1750-1845)  was  a  private  in  the  North 
Carolina  troops,  and  moved  to  Gallatin,  Tennessee.  He 
married  Sarah  McGuire.  His  son,  Robert,  married  Mar- 
garet McCready,  and  their  descendants  are  in  Texas. 
(Lineage  Book,  D.  A.  R.) 

Berry.  Bradley*,  James,  and  Thomas*  were  broth- 
ers or  near  relatives  of  Washington  county,  Virginia,  and 
all  were  in  the  Revolution,  at  least  James  being  at  King's 
Mountain.  Thomas  was  wounded  by  Indians  in  1776. 
Bradley  was  in  the  Charlotte  regiment  in  1778,  and  died 
in  the  service  of  the  Fourth  Virginia. 


148  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Robert1'"  received  a  pension  from  North  Carolina, 
1833.  See  North  Carolina  Booklet,  G.  A.  R.  for  further 
information. 

Beverly.  John  was  a  captain  under  Colonel  Cleve- 
land. According  to  Draper  a  pilfering  soldier  was 
taken  to  Cleveland  by  William  Lenoir,  and  ordered  to 
have  his  thumbs  fastened  in  the  notch  of  a  tree  while 
fifteen  lashes  were  applied.  This  was  called  "thumbing 
the  notch. "  Beverly,  ordered  to  carry  out  the  sentence, 
gave  the  fifteen  lashes,  and  then  kept  on  striking  the 
wincing  culprit  without  mercy.  Colonel  Herndon  drew 
his  sword,  not  being  able  to  endure  this  cruelty,  and 
tapped  Beverly.  The  latter  drew  his  own  sword,  and 
the  resulting  tilt  might  have  had  a  fatal  result  but  for 
the  interference  of  mutual  friends. 

Bickley.  Summers  relates  that  in  1776  Charles 
Bickley  helped  build  a  mill  for  Henry  Hamblin,  one  of 
the  first  settlers  in  Washington  county.  During  the  next 
four  years  Bickley  was  in  many  battles  with  the  tories 
and  Indians,  and  afterwards  in  Lee  county,  where  he  lo- 
cated his  military  land  grant.  Descendants  still  live  on 
the  homestead.  Others  are  G.  B.  and  W.  E.  Bickley  of 
the  Bickley  Clothing  Company  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee. 

Bicknell.  James,  John,  and  Thomas  were  at  King's 
Mountain.  The  last  was  a  Wilkes  county  man  under 
Cleveland.    He  was  killed  early  in  the  battle. 

Bishop.     Levi,  an  ensign,  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Black.  Joseph  served  under  Campbell.  The  city 
of  Abingdon  is  on  the  site  of  Black  Station.  After  the 
Revolution  he  located  another  Black  Station  in  Blount 
county. 

Blackburn.  William,  killed  at  King's  Mountain,  was 
a  lieutenant  under  Campbell. 

Arthur  was  also  in  the  battle  of  Point  Pleasant. 

Ramsay  says  that  in  1789,  while  John  Blackburn 
was  standing  by  a  creek  near  Buchanan's  Station  in 
Davidson  county,  he  was  killed  by  Indians,  scalped,  and 
a  spear  left  sticking  in  his  body. 

William  and  George*  were  directed  by  the  court  of 
Fincastle  county,  1773,  to  clear  a  road  from  Samuel 
Briggs  on  Eighteen  Mile  Creek  to  James  Bryan's  on 
Eleven  Mile  Creek.  In  1777  William  was  appointed  a 
lieutenant  for  the   militia   of  Washington   county,   Vir- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  149 

ginia.     He  married  1747,  and  his  widow  Elizabeth  lived 
until  1825. 

Joseph  was  still  another  Blackburn. 

Blackmore.  John  and  William,  an  ensign,  were 
under  Campbell,  and  were  also  in  active  service  against 
the  tories  and  Indians.  William,  who  received  a  pension 
in  Shelby  county,  Kentucky,  was  with  Colonel  Sevier  in 
the  Etowah  campaign  of  1793. 

Blacock.    Samuel,  a  major,  is  mentioned  by  Draper. 
Zarach*  was  a  Virginia  soldier  but  may  not  have 
been  at  King's  Mountain. 

Blassingham.  John  of  Sugar  Creek,  South  Carolina, 
was  a  whig  who  suffered  persecution.  He  married  a 
Westfield  and  had  a  son  John,  who  was  in  the  war  of 
1812  and  married  Elizabeth  Easley.  (Lineage  Book,  D. 
A.  R.,  Volume  31.) 

Blevin.  Henry  and  Daniel  were  under  Colonel  Se- 
vier. The  first,  when  seventy-five  years  old,  received  a 
pension  in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  June  13,  1811  (?) 
Daniel  received  his  pension  in  Morgan  county,  Teniessee, 
1834,  when  eighty-one  years  old. 

Blair.  James  was  under  Colonel  McDowell.  On  the 
way  to  King's  Mountain,  he  was  sent  ahead  to  hasten 
the  march  of  Colonel  Cleveland  with  the  men  of  Wilkes 
and  Surry.  He  went  thirty  miles  to  Fort  Defiance  be- 
fore he  met  Cleveland  and  his  men  advancing. 

John,  a  strict  Presbyterian,  married  Martha  Laird 
in  Ireland  and  eight  children  were  born  to  them.  John, 
their  second  son,  moved  from  Pennsylvania  to  Washing- 
ton county,  Virginia,  and  entered  the  Continental  army. 
Tradition  holds  that  he  was  a  captain  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. He  settled  on  the  Big  Limestone  Branch  of  Nol- 
achucky,  married  Susannah  Kelsey,  and  had  eight  chil- 
dren. His  own  son  John,  was  a  Congressman  before 
1860.  This  John  married  Mary  Chester  in  1812  and  they 
had  eleven  children.  The  descendants  of  the  first  John 
are  among  the  prominent  citizens  of  nearly  every  county 
in  East  Tennessee  and  beyond.  Below  is  a  letter  by  John 
the  Congressman,  who  had  much  to  do  in  procuring 
pensions  for  the  veterans  of  the  Revolution  in  Carter 
county. 

Washington  City,  Dec.  10,  1832. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  our  pension 


150  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

claims  are  now  under  a  course  of  examination  upon 
principles  which  I  feel  willing  to  acquiesce  in.  All  the 
cases  which  had  been  decided  upon  adversely  had  been 
handed  in  by  me,  and  will  be  examined  on  the  grounds 
upon  which  Congress  intended  to  place  the  applicants, 
and  of  their  own  statement  if  sustained  by  character  and 
reputation,  provided  their  accounts  of  the  matter  as  to 
time  and  circumstances  agreed  with  the  history  of  the 
events  to  which  they  refer.  My  Carter  County  cases 
have  been  all  allowed  so  far  as  yet  they  have  been  exam- 
ined, and  I  mean  to  let  no  one  finally  be  rejected  that  I 
think  just.  I  have  taken  the  test  of  all  the  claims  from 
my  district,  and  directed  Mr.  Edwards  to  give  me  each, 
investigated  separately,  and  I  will  take  such  course 
therewith  as  I  think  it  may  need.  Give  A.  W.  Taylor  this 
information,  and  tell  him  both  his  uncles'  claims  are  al- 
lowed. 

Yours  respectfully, 

John  Blair 

The  Blairs  of  East  Tennessee  are  all  descendants 
of  John,  a  soldier  of  King's  Mountain  who  came  from 
South  Carolina  and  died  in  Washington  county  in  1819. 
His  children  were  Hugh,  John,  James,  William,  Thomas, 
Samuel,  Jane,  Mary,  Martha,  and  Rachel.  They  moved 
to  Loudoun  county  in  1790  and  established  the  Blair 
Ferry  on  the  Tennessee  River,  operated  ever  since  by 
some  member  of  the  Blair  family.  Hugh  was  a  cripple 
and  never  married.  James,  the  second  son,  married  Jane 
Carmichael  of  another  pioneer  family.  The  Blairs  have 
been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  advancement  of  Loudoun 
county. 

Boran.  Baile  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  militia  of  Wash- 
ington county,  September,  1780,  and  it  is  well  known 
that  all  well  members  of  this  militia  marched  with  Col- 
onel Campbell. 

Bowen.  Reese,  born  in  Maryland  in  1742,  was  liv- 
ing on  the  Clinch  in  what  is  now  Tazewell  in  1760.  He 
fought  at  Point  Pleasant  and  went  to  the  relief  of  the 
Kentucky  stations  in  1778.  During  the  illness  of  his 
brother,  Captain  William,  he  succeeded,  as  lieutenant, 
to  the  command  at  King's  Mountain,  and  was  shot  dead 
by  a  tory  boy  from  behind  a  baggage  wagon.  He  was 
noted  for  his  strength  and  activity.  He  left  a  family,  his 
son  Colonel  Henry  living  in  Tazewell  to  old  age.  When 
Charles  heard  this  his  brother  Reese  was  killed,  he  went 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  151 

wild  in  his  anxiety  to  find  him.  Colonel  Cleveland 
thought  him  a  tory  because  of  his  distracted  manner,  and 
commanded  the  countersign,  which  Charles  could  not 
recall.  Cleveland  took  aim,  but  his  gun  missing  fire, 
Bowen  drew  his  tomahawk  to  cleave  the  coloners  head. 
In  the  nick  of  time,  one  Buchanan,  who  knew  both  men, 
gave  Bowen's  arm  a  vigorous  push  and  told  each  who  the 
other  was.  The  story  relates  that  the  colonel  caught  the 
young  soldier  in  his  arms,  rejoicing  that  he  had  not  sac- 
rificed his  life.  Charles  received  a  pension  in  Blount 
county,  Tennessee  in  1832.  John,  a  son  of  Reese,  was 
also  in  the  battle,  as  were  Arthur,  Robert,  and  Henry, 
brothers  to  Reese.  All  three  were  officers,  the  first  being 
a  captain. 

Bowyer.  Thomas  of  the  Eighth  Virginia  is  suppos- 
ed to  have  been  killed  (Waddell).  In  the  same  regi- 
ment were  William,  a  colonel,  and  John.  Draper  states 
that  John,  a  colonel  commanding  a  rifle  corps  from  Rock- 
bridge, was  wounded  and  captured,  and  that  his  troop 
was  the  part  of  Campbell's  regiment  present  in  the  bat- 
tle near  Jamestown. 

Boyce.  John  was  from  Newbury,  South  Carolina, 
and  was  under  Colonel  Williams.  He  was  also  at  Black- 
stock,  Cowpens,  and  Eutaw.  Under  his  brother  Alexan- 
der he  was  shot  down  in  the  attempt  to  storm  Savannah 
in  1779.  His  property  was  destroyed,  but  he  escaped 
death,  a  faithful  slave  cutting  the  cords  with  which  he 
was  bound  when  the  tories  were  going  to  hang  him.  His 
wife  was  Elizabeth  Miller,  and  his  son,  Hon.  Kerr  Boyce, 
married  Amanda  Johnston. 

Bradley.  William,  who  was  wounded  was  under 
Major  Chronicle,  of  Lincoln  county.  He  was  given 
a  pension  in  that  county  in  1835.  Some  of  his  descend- 
ants are  in  Alabama. 

Richard,  also  from  Lincoln,  received  a  pension  and 
died  in  1827.  A  tradition  in  the  family  states  that  he 
was  at  King's  Mountain. 

Brandon.  Matthew  (1752-1819)  was  a  son  of  Rich- 
ard and  his  wife  Margaret  Locke,  and  was  born  in  Roane 
county,  North  Carolina.  He  served  under  Colonel  Jos- 
eph Graham  in  1780,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  at 
King's  Mountain,  Musgrove's  Mill,  and  Ramseur's  mill. 
He  married  Jean  Armstrong  and  had  two  daughters, 
Elizabeth  and  Elvira.    The  former  married  General  Paul 


152  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Barringer  of  Cabarrus,  and  her  four  sons  were  prominent 
in  North  Carolina  history.  Elvira  married  James  David- 
son Hall,  pastor  of  Thyatira  church,  but  had  no  family. 
Colonel  John  was  a  brother  to  Matthew,  but  the  record 
does  not  say  he  was  at  King's  Mountain. 

Thomas  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1741,  married 
Elizabeth  McCool  before  the  Revolution,  and  joined  a 
Scotch-Irish  colony  in  Union  county,  South  Carolina.  He 
entered  the  war  in  1775  as  a  captain  in  the  Spartanburg 
regiment,  but  became  colonel  of  the  Second  before  the 
fall  of  Charleston.  He  was  at  Musgrove  mill,  King's 
Mountain,  and  Cowpens,  killing  in  the  last  named  battle 
three  British  dragoons.  After  the  war  he  was  a  magis- 
trate, county  ordinary,  General  of  militia,  and  frequent- 
ly a  member  of  the  legislature.  He  was  a  good  soldier, 
but,  like  Cleveland,  a  bitter  enemy  of  the  tories,  who  re- 
ceived little  mercy  from  him.  He  died  at  his  home,  Fair 
Forest,  February  5,  1802. 

Brashear.  Samuel  commanded  a  company  from  Sul- 
livan county,  Tennessee. 

Brazleton.  William  located  his  military  land  grant 
in  what  is  now  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee.  His  son, 
William,  who  inherited  this  homestead,  married  first 
Martha  Gillespie,  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  John  Fain  Braz- 
leton, and  second  Mary  P.  Reese  of  Mossy  Creek. 

Breckenridge.  Summers  names  Captain  Alexander 
and  his  sons  George  and  John  as  in  the  battle.  Captain 
Robert  fought  against  the  Indians  in  1757,  and  in  1773 
was  a  justice  of  Fincastle.  Alexander  lived  on  Wolf 
Creek  Hill  in  Fincastle  in  1773.  Waddell  partially  works 
out  the  family  lineage. 

Brooks.  The  service  and  lineage  of  George,  John, 
and  Moses  are  in  Lineage  Book,  D.  A.  R.,  Volume  9.  The 
family  settled  at  Boyd's  Bridge,  four  miles  above  Knox- 
ville,  and  the  three  soldiers  are  buried  in  the  Brooks 
burying  ground  on  the  high  hill  above  the  river,  but  the 
headstones  were  carried  away  for  doorsteps.  George 
was  also  at  Point  Pleasant. 

Brown.  Draper  mentions  Gabriel  as  captain  under 
Colonel  Williams. 

James  was  in  the  North  Carolina  militia.  He  receiv- 
ed a  pension  and  was  on  his  way  to  Chattanooga  to  lo- 
cate his  military  land  grant  when  he  and  others  of  his 
party  were  massacred  by  Indians. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  153 

Jacob  was  a  captain  under  Colonel  Sevier,  having 
settled  on  Watauga  and  Nollichucky  in  1772.  He  was 
a  merchant  bringing  his  goods  on  a  packhorse.  He  leas- 
ed a  large  tract  from  the  Cherokees,  was  prominent  in 
the  early  history  of  Frankland  and  Tennessee,  and  was 
always  a  staunch  friend  to  Sevier. 

John,  a  captain  under  Cleveland,  was  born  in  Derry, 
Ireland,  in  1738,  went  to  Pennsylvania  about  1762, 
taught  school,  and  married  Jane  McDowell.  In  1770  he 
was  living  on  the  Yadkin  in  Wilkes  county,  and  he  was 
three  times  in  Congress.  He  died  1812  leaving  many 
descendants,  Colonel  H.  A.  Brown  of  Maury  county,  Ten- 
nessee being  a  grandson. 

John,  born  in  South  Carolina  1760,  died  in  Missis- 
sippi 1847,  was  with  his  father  Andrew  under  Colonel 
Roebuck.    He  received  a  pension  in  1832. 

John  of  Sevier's  regiment  was  killed  early  in  the 
battle. 

Joseph,  also  under  Sevier,  died  in  South  Carolina  in 
1800  aged  forty.  Joseph,  Jr.,  married  Mary  Potter,  and 
his  own  son  Joseph  married  Jemima  Broyles  and  has 
descendants  ifr  Georgia. 

Michael  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Browning.  Enos  of  Washington  county,  Virginia, 
was  under  Campbell  and  he  obtained  a  grant  of  land. 

Bruster.  B is  mentioned  by  Draper  in  his  manu- 
scripts. 

Buchanan.  The  Buchanans  were  early  settlers  in 
Southwest  Virginia  and  were  active  in  the  Revolution. 
John  (a  lieutenant)  and  Samuel  were  at  King's  Mountain. 
In  1779-1780  a  John*  and  an  Alexander*  living  at  Eaton 
Station  were  from  South  Carolina  according  to  Ramsay. 
Eaton  was  on  the  turnpike  leading  from  Nashville  to  Leb- 
anon. Samuel  was  killed  here  in  1783  by  the  Cherokees. 
When  fired  upon  he  ran  from  the  field  where  he  was  plow- 
ing and  jumped  from  a  bluff,  but  was  scalped.  An  Eaton 
Station  in  East  Tennessee  is  called  Heaton  by  Ramsay 
and  Haywood,  but  according  to  Gilbert  Christian's  let- 
ter Eaton  is  the  correct  name.  In  1776  Captains  William 
Buchanan  and  William  Cocke  fought  the  Indians  at 
Long  Island,  called  also  the  Heaton  Station  affair.  Rob- 
ert was  in  Fincastle  in  1775. 

Bullen.  William  of  Campbell's  regiment  was  wound- 
ed.    There  is  a  tradition  that  Isaac  and  Luke,  listed  by 


154  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Eckenrode,  were  in  the  battle.     They  received  bounty 
warrants,  but  I  found  no  service  record. 

Burney.  William  is  listed  by  Summers.  Simon  was 
a  Virginia  soldier  in  the  Revolution. 

Burns.  William,  born  in  Pittsylvania  and  died  in 
Clay  (?),  was  under  Captain  Martin.  He  was  in  the 
battle  of  Long  Island  on  Holston,  1776,  and  in  other 
border  engagements,  and  was  given  a  pension  for  a  ser- 
vice of  fifteen  months. 

Caldwell.  Samuel  was  born  in  Orange  county, 
North  Carolina,  February  10,  1750,  but  was  living  in 
Lincoln  in  1772.  He  served  under  Captain  Green  against 
the  Cherokees  in  1776,  under  Captain  Chronicle  for  nine 
months  in  1779,  joined  Lincoln's  army  in  1780,  and  was 
with  Captain  Isaac  White  at  King's  Mountain.  He  serv- 
ed with  Captain  Montgomery  at  the  Cowpens,  was  at 
Guilford  Courthouse,  and  continued  in  active  service  till 
the  end  of  the  war,  afterward  settling  at  Tuckaseegee 
Ford,  where  he  reared  a  large  family.  He  received  a 
pension  from  North  Carolina.  He  was  buried  in  Goshen 
Creek  graveyard  in  Gaston  county. 

Thomas,  a  lieutenant  from  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia, was  under  Colonel  Campbell. 

William  was  a  brother  to  Samuel.  It  was  he  who 
drew  out  the  sword  a  British  officer  had  driven  into  Rob- 
ert Henry's  hip  and  arm,  the  sufferer  saying  the  taking 
out  was  more  painful  than  the  thrusting  in.  William 
brought  home  the  horse,  sword,  and  spurs  of  Major 
Chronicle.  The  sword  and  spurs  were  given  to  James 
McKee,  his  half-brother,  and  are  still  in  the  possession  of 
a  son  of  the  latter  who  emigrated  to  Tennessee. 

Callahan.  John  was  an  early  settler  on  the  Nolli- 
chucky,  and  was  a  captain  under  Sevier,  to  whom  he 
was  a  sincere  friend.  He  was  conspicuous  in  the  early 
history  of  Frankland  and  Tenessee.  His  brother  John 
was  also  at  King's  Mountain. 

Callaway.     Elijah  is  frequently  quoted  by  Draper. 

Joseph  was  a  legislator  from  Ashe  in  1804  and  1806. 
He  was  under  Cleveland  at  King's  Mountain. 

Richard*,  brother  to  Joseph,  was  wounded  in  the 
ambuscade  at  the  Old  Fields. 

William,  another  brother,  went  with  him  to  the  res- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  155 

cue  of  Colonel  Cleveland  when  captured  by  the  tory  Rid- 
dle. 

Camp.  Thomas  and  five  sons  were  at  King's  Moun- 
tain, but  I  could  not  find  the  names  of  the  sons. 

Thomas  and  Joshua  are  in  Lineage  Book,  D.  A.  R., 
Volume  50.  Thomas,  the  elder,  (1717-1798)  was  twice 
married,  one  wife  being  Margaret  Carney.  He  was 
buried  at  Island  Ford,  North  Carolina.  His  eleven  sons 
were  Edmund  (1739),  Joseph  (1741),  John  (1743) 
Thomas  (1747),  Nathaniel  (1748),  Starling  (1749), 
Hosea  (1751),  William  (1753),  Alfred  (1755),  Benja- 
min (1757),  Joel  (1761).  In  these  eleven  belong  the 
five  sons. 

Stephen  (1770-1826)  held  the  horses  of  the  whig 
officers  at  King's  Mountain  and  Cowpens,  an  injury  at 
the  latter  place  crippling  him  for  life. 

Campbell.  The  names  under  this  head  are  Colonel 
Arthur,  David,  Hugh,  James,  Jeremiah,  Patrick,  Robert, 
General  William  and  William,  Jr.  For  service  and  line- 
age see  Draper,  Summers,  Waddell,  Ramsay,  and  the 
Genealogy  by  Mrs.  Pilcher. 

David  married  the  fifth  daughter  of  Captain  Hugh 
Montgomery,  and  established  Campbell  Station,  Tennes- 
see in  1787.  The  Indians  killed  two  boys  named  Wells 
at  Hind's  Station,  and  then  attacked  Campbell  Station, 
where  Colonel  Campbell  and  another  man  were  plowing. 
The  Indians  were  not  perceived  until  they  fired.  Hear- 
ing the  reports,  Mrs.  Campbell  barricaded  the  house 
door,  took  the  rifles  from  the  rack,  and  waited  at  the 
portholes.  She  handed  out  the  rifles  to  the  men  escaping 
from  the  field,  and  though  the  Indians  were  pursued 
they  got  away.  David  received  a  pension  from  McNairy 
county. 

James  and  Jeremiah  were  pensioned  in  Carter 
county  and  Robert  in  Hawkins. 

Candler.  William  (1736-1787)  was  born  in  Ireland 
entered  the  revolution  as  a  captain,  and  at  King's  Moun- 
tain commanded  30  Georgians  under  Colonel  Williams. 
He  was  in  other  battles,  became  a  colonel  and  was  prom- 
inent in  the  political  and  social  life  of  Georgia.  In  1761 
he  married  Elizabeth  Anthony.  His  son,  Henry,  was 
with  him  at  King's  Mountain  and  in  other  battles. 

Cantrell.  It  is  claimed  that  Stephen  was  one  of  the 
30  Georgians  under  William  Candler.     He  was  a  cap- 


156  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

tain  under  Sevier  in  the  Etowah  campaign,  being  then 
a  resident  of  Summers  county,  Tennessee,  which  he  rep- 
resented in  the  legislature  of  1796.  The  Cantrell  genea- 
logy says  Stephen  purchased  five  hundred  acres  on  the 
Enoree  in  Spartansburg  county.  Many  of  the  descen- 
dants of  his  five  sons  live  in  Tennessee. 

Carmack.  Cornelius  and  John  were  in  the  Fin- 
castle  troops  under  Christian.  Both  received  pensions 
when  over  seventy  years  of  age. 

Carpenter.  John,  listed  by  Summers,  was  under 
Captain  William  Edmondson.  In  the  attack  upon  Car- 
penter's fort  on  Jackson's  River,  when  William  Car- 
penter and  others  were  killed,  John  was  captured  by  the 
Indians. 

Carr.  Patrick  came  from  Ireland  before  the  Revo- 
lution, was  a  captain  under  Colonel  Clark  in  the  attack 
on  Augusta  in  September,  1780,  and  was  under  Sumter 
at  Blackstock.  The  statement  that  he  killed  one  hun- 
dred tories  must  be  an  exaggeration,  if  to  be  understood 
as  a  personal  matter.  His  murder  in  1802,  in  Jefferson 
county,  Georgia,  is  said  to  have  been  by  a  son  of  a  tory 
he  had  killed.  At  King's  Mountain  he  was  under  Major 
Candler. 

Carroll.  William  was  a  Lincoln  county  man  under 
Chronicle.     He  was  pensioned  by  North  Carolina,  1833. 

Carson.  The  descendants  of  Andrew  of  Iredell 
think  he  was  at  King's  Mountain,  but  this  is  not  mention- 
ed in  the  pension  statement  in  Chapter  XL 

David  Carson  was  under  Colonel  Campbell  and  was 
pensioned  in  1835. 

John  Carson  was  a  captain  at  King's  Mountain 
from  Burke  county.  By  request  he  was  an  active  spy 
to  outwit  Ferguson's  men  while  they  were  foraging  for 
cattle.    Draper  gives  an  interesting  account  of  this. 

The  service  of  William  Carson  is  in  Historical  Col- 
lections, Volume  3,  Habersham  Chapter,  D.  A.  R. 

Carter.  The  Carters  were  early  settlers  and  of 
prominence  in  the  county  of  their  name  in  Tennessee. 
It  is  claimed  that  Captains  John  and  Landon  were  at 
King's  Mountain  under  Sevier.  John  settled  on  Boone 
Creek,  1769,  and  was  in  the  first  Watauga  convention. 
The  pension  statement  by  the  widow  of  Landon  is  given 
in  Chapter  XL 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  157 

Carswell.  Alexander  (1727-1803)  was  a  native  of 
Ireland  who  married  Isabella  Brown.  Both  he  and  his 
son  John  were  at  King's  Mountain.  The  latter,  who  mar- 
ried Sarah  Wright,  received  a  bounty  warrant  for  land 
and  located  in  Burke  county,  Georgia.  His  son  Alexan- 
der married  Mary  Palmer. 

Andrew  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Casewell.  For  service  of  Zadrach  see  Lineage  Book, 
D.  A.  R.,  Volume  12. 

Casey.  The  brothers  Benjamin,  Levi,  and  Randolph 
were  in  the  Second  South  Carolina  under  Colonel  Elijah 
Clark.  Randolph,  a  sergeant,  was  born  in  Virginia,  was 
pensioned  in  Smith  county,  1831,  married  Mary  Jane 
Pennington,  and  his  son  Zadoc  married  Rachel  King. 

William  fought  at  Point  Pleasant  under  Captain 
Shelby.  Two  years  later,  he  with  his  sister  Nancy,  Ar- 
thur Blackburn,  and  Arthur  Harold  were  on  their  way 
to  Rev.  Charles  Cummings  to  bring  some  books  and 
other  articles  to  the  fort  in  the  vicinity.  They  were  at- 
tacked by  Indians,  Blackburn  was  shot  and  scalped,  but 
his  body  was  recovered.  As  Casey  was  running  for  his 
life,  he  saw  the  Indians  in  hot  pursuit  of  his  sister.  He 
called  to  Harold  to  help  him,  and  the  latter  complied 
although  there  were  from  four  to  six  of  the  foe.  By 
keeping  between  them  and  Nancy,  the  Indians  were 
beaten  off,  the  men  firing  alternately. 

Castillo.  John  (1760-1830)  served  under  Captain 
Benjamin  Logan  and  Lieutenant  John  Logan,  and  was 
buried  one-half  mile  west  of  Wentzville,  Missouri.  (D. 
A.  R.,  18th  Report.) 

Chambers.  Daniel  is  mentioned  in  the  Draper  manu- 
scripts. 

Childers.  The  brothers  John  and  Mitchell  from 
Wilkes  county  were  at  King's  Mountain  under  Cleve- 
land. The  former  was  badly  wounded,  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  1833  at  Knoxville,  Tennessee.  Mitchell  was 
pensioned  at  the  same  place  in  1833,  when  eighty-three 
years  old.  The  gun  and  powderhorn  he  used  in  the  bat- 
tle are  owned  by  descendants. 

Childress.  Thomas*  of  Virginia  was  pensioned  in 
Lincoln  county,  Tennessee,  in  1833  when  eighty-four 
years  old. 

William"    of  the   North    Carolina   militia   was   also 


158  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

pensioned    in    Tennessee.     It    is    not    known    to    revisor 
whether  either  man  was  at  King's  Mountain. 

Chisholm.  John,  a  settler  on  the  Nollichucky,  was 
under  Sevier  and  was  a  lifelong  friend  of  that  colonel, 
serving  in  several  campaigns.  He  was  prominent  in  the 
State  of  Frankland,  and  was  mixed  up  in  the  impeach- 
ment of  Governor  Blount.  He  was  one  of  the  early  jus- 
tices of  Washington,  and  kept  the  first  tavern  in  Knox- 
ville.     He  died  in  London,  England. 

Chittim.  John,  a  soldier  under  Captain  Samuel 
Martin,  was  badly  wounded  but  lived  to  an  old  age.  He 
was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina,  1815. 

Christian.  Gilbert,  a  son  of  Robert  and  nephew  of 
Colonel  William,  was  a  major  under  Colonel  Campbell. 
He  was  active  in  the  border  wars,  was  a  lifelong  friend 
of  Colonel  Sevier,  and  died  in  Knoxville  in  1793. 

George,  son  of  Gilbert,  was  with  his  father  in  the 
Indian  wars.  In  a  letter  to  Draper  he  speaks  of  the  bat- 
tle of  Long  Island. 

"Father  commanded  a  company  at  Long  Island. 
Under  him  was  George  Rutledge  and  Robert  King,  both 
with  him  at  King's  Mountain.  They  rendezvoused  at 
Patterson  Mill.  .  .  .  There  was  no  Patten  Mill  at  this 
time  (1779-80)  as  Haywood  has  it.  There  were  only 
two  mills  in  that  section  of  the  country.  Patterson's 
Mill  was  situated  eight  miles  below  Long  Island  near  the 
Holston  River,  near  or  rather  on  a  small  creek,  and  Rice 
Mill  was  three  miles  still  lower  down  on  a  creek  that 
went  into  the  Holston." 

The  letter  in  Chapter  V,  by  George  Christian  to  Dr. 
Draper,  will  illuminate  Gilbert  Christian's  services. 

Clark.  Elijah  was  the  colonel  who  worried  Fergu- 
son on  his  way  to  take  a  stand  on  King's  Mountain.  He 
was  not  himself  in  the  battle,  but  many  of  his  men  were. 

George  was  from  Washington  county,  Virginia  and 
was  under  Campbell. 

James*  and  Michael*  were  pensioned  in  Lincoln 
county,  North  Carolina,  but  their  applications  do  not 
state  whether  they  were  in  the  battle. 

John,  a  captain  from  Georgia,  received  a  sword  cut 
in  the  neck  in  the  skirmish  at  the  Wofford  Ironworks,  but 
recovered  in  time  to  go  to  King's  Mountain.  He  was 
pensioned  in  Washington  county,  Tennessee. 

William,  a  soldier  under  Marion,  was  with  Sevier 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  159 


at  King's  Mountain.     His  record  is  in  Lineage  Book  2,  D. 
A.  R. 

Cleveland.  Benjamin  was  born  in  Prince  William 
county,  Virginia  in  1738.  While  still  very  young  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Graves  of  a  wealthy  and  influential  family. 
With  others  he  made  a  trip  to  Kentucky  to  see  the  coun- 
try and  to  hunt.  The  mountain  tories  raising  the  British 
flag  in  1776,  Cleveland  vanquished  them  with  his  com- 
pany of  volunteers.  He  served  throughout  the  Revolu- 
tion and  is  considered  one  of  the  ablest  colonels,  where- 
ever  he  was  placed.  At  King's  Mountain  he  commanded 
the  men  from  Surry  and  Wilkes.  Draper,  Wheeler,  and 
others  give  much  space  to  his  able  services. 

Larkin  was  a  brother  to  Benjamin,  and  while  on  his 
way  to  King's  Mountain  encountered  a  party  of  tories 
at  Loveday  Shoals  and  was  wounded. 

Robert,  another  brother,  was  a  captain  of  infantry 
at  King's  Mountain.     He  died  in  Wilkes  county  in  1812. 

John,  a  son  of  Colonel  Cleveland,  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia in  1760.  He  entered  the  service  as  a  private,  but 
was  a  lieutenant  under  Shelby  in  the  attack  on  Augusta 
in  1780.  He  led  a  company  at  King's  Mountain,  and 
was  in  the  fight  at  the  Raft  Swamp  in  1781.  He  died 
on  the  Tugalo  in  1810.  His  son  Benjamin  was  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Habersham  county,  Georgia. 

Ezekiel  was  in  the  engagements  at  Kettle  Creek, 
Wofford's  Iron  Works,  Musgrove's  mill,  Fishdam  Ford,, 
Lone  Cane  Creek,  and  King's  Mountain.  For  his  ser- 
vice at  Augusta  in  1780  he  had  a  grant  of  land  from 
Georgia.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Harman.  Their 
daughter  Nancy  married  William  Henry  Hardin,  son  of 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.     Descendants  are  in  Georgia. 

Clon.  William  is  listed  by  Draper  as  in  Shelby's 
command. 

Cloud.  Joseph  was  a  captain  under  Cleveland. 
Carruther  speaks  of  him  in  his  "Sketches  of  North  Caro- 
lina." 

Clowney.  Samuel  left  Ireland  with  one  companion 
and  settled  on  the  Catawba.  He  was  in  many  battles  of 
the  Revolution,  and  is  thought  to  have  been  under  Col- 
onel Brandon  at  King's  Mountain.  After  the  war  he 
married  and  settled  in  Union  district,  South  Carolina, 
where  he  died  September  27,  1824,  aged  eighty-one. 
Both  Draper  and  the  Habersham  Collections  give  much 


160  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

space  to  his  heroic  deeds.  After  joining  Colonel  Thomas 
at  Cedar  Springs  he  obtained  a  leave  of  absence  to  visit 
friends  and  procure  a  change  of  clothing.  He  then  set 
off  for  the  Irish  settlement  on  Fair  Forest,  intending  to 
make  a  quick  return  to  camp.  On  reaching  Kelso  Creek, 
about  five  miles  from  Cedar  Springs,  he  cut  through  the 
woods  with  a  negro  boy  named  Paul.  Five  armed  tories 
making  their  way  to  a  tory  camp  in  the  neighborhood, 
came  right  upon  Clowney  and  Paul,  being  totally  un- 
aware of  their  presence,  and  were  peremptorily  ordered 
to  surrender.  "Cock  your  guns,  boys,  and  fire  at  the 
word,"  yelled  Clowney  to  imaginary  companions.  Ad- 
vancing up  the  bank  of  the  creek  as  the  tories  were  pas- 
sing through  it,  he  demanded :  "Who  are  you  ?"  "Friends 
of  the  king,"  was  the  reply.  Not  having  supposed  any 
enemy  was  near,  the  tories  hesitated  to  obey  the  com- 
mand to  surrender.  "Lay  down  your  arms,  or  every  beg- 
gar of  you  will  be  instantly  shot  to  pieces,"  returned 
Clowney,  poising  his  rifle  in  readiness  for  use.  Thinking 
the  whig  had  a  large  force  in  concealment,  the  tories 
surrendered  without  another  word.  Paul  took  charge 
of  the  guns,  Clowney  giving  directions  to  imaginary  sol- 
diers in  the  rear.  He  marched  his  prisoners  across  the 
creek  and  reached  the  rest  of  his  party  at  Mrs.  Foster's 
washing  camp,  where  they  were  conducted  to  the  quar- 
ters of  Colonel  Thomas.  The  prisoners  were  greatly 
chagrined  to  find  their  only  captors  were  a  jolly  Irish- 
man and  a  negro,  and  the  latter  unarmed.  "Why  Pad- 
dy," asked  the  colonel,  "how  did  you  take  all  these 
men  ?"  "I  surrounded  them,"  was  the  response.  Draper 
says  Clowney  was  a  real  hero.  He  was  very  sarcastic 
and  full  of  invective,  yet  always  kind-hearted  and  gen- 
erous, and  liked  by  all.  His  wit  and  his  Irish  brogue 
made  him  a  fascinating  companion.  His  son,  William  K., 
a  graduate  of  South  Carolina  College  and  lawyer,  was 
many  years  in  Congress. 

Cobb.  Arthur,  Jerry,  William,  Sr.,  and  William,  Jr., 
were  active  or  assisting  troops  in  Shelby's  command.  On 
the  way  to  King's  Mountain  the  expedition  halted  at  the 
plantation  of  William  Sr.,  a  justice  of  Washington  in 
1778.  Ramsay  says  the  Cobbs  and  the  Beens  were  the 
first  to  make  permanent  homes  on  the  Watauga.  It 
was  in  Cobb's  home  that  Governor  Blount  resided  in 
1790  and  held  his  first  court  for  the  Territory  South  of 
the  Ohio.  Cobb  was  wealthy,  patriotic,  and  hospitable. 
His  sons  were  Pharoah,  William,  and  Jerry.     Pharoah 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  161 

was  under  Shelby  at  Musgrove's  mill  and  King's  Moun- 
tain. Since  his  pension  application  states  that  he  was 
in  service  from  1776  to  1780,  he  must  have  been  in  still 
other  battles.  In  1793  he  built  a  handsome  brick  house 
in  Poor  Valley,  Hawkins  county.  The  place,  still  used 
as  a  residence  in  1906,  is  called  Cobb's  Ford. 

Cocke.  Charles  and  James  are  listed  by  Summers. 
James  was  a  Captain  in  the  Committee  of  Safety,  pre- 
sumably for  Washington  county. 

William  was  a  son  of  Abraham  of  Amelia  county, 
Virginia,  was  born  1747,  and  died  in  Columbia,  Missis- 
sippi, 1828.  He  was  a  captain,  and  was  under  Shelby  at 
King's  Mountain,  and  when  an  old  man  went  into  the 
war  of  1812.  He  was  instrumental  in  forming  the  State 
of  Franklin,  was  in  the  legislatures  of  Virginia,  North 
Carolina,  Tennessee,  and  Mississippi,  and  was  a  United 
States  senator  from  Tennessee.  He  married  Sarah  Mc- 
Linn,  and  hfe  son  John  Ellis  Cocke  married  Sarah  Strat- 
ton. 

Cockrell  (or  Cockrill).  In  1789  when  John  Donald- 
son made  an  adventurous  trip  from  the  Island  in  the 
French  Broad  to  the  Cumberland,  a  companion  was 
John*  Cockrell.  Eckenrode  places  a  John  Cockrell  in 
the  Sixth  Virginia.     See  also  Lineage  Book  39,  D.  A.  R. 

Cole.  Joseph,  Thomas,  and  William  are  listed  by 
Summers.  Eckenrode  has  about  thirty  Coles  in  his  list 
of  Virginia  soldiers  of  the  Revolution.  Hugh  died  in 
the  Continental  service.  The  magistrates  of  Sullivan 
county,  Tennessee,  met  at  the  house  of  Joseph  in  1787. 
Several  of  the  Coles  mentioned  by  Summers  were  at 
Point  Pleasant. 

Colley.  Daniel  and  Thomas  were  from  Mecklen- 
burg county,  Virginia.  *Asa,  *Charles,  *Isaac  and  *Wil- 
liam  were  in  the  Pittsylvania  militia,  received  pensions, 
and  bounty  warrants,  but  may  not  have  been  at  King's 
Mountain. 

Collins.  James  and  Samuel  were  from  Lincoln 
county.  A  Captain  James  is  buried  in  Greenfield,  Ohio. 
Samuel  was  pensioned  in  1833. 

Colville.  Andrew  was  born  in  Frederick  county, 
Virginia,  1739,  and  died  in  Wythe  in  1797.  He  led  a 
company  under  Campbell,  and  was  one  of  the  first  lead- 
ers to  attack  Ferguson's  line  at  a  weak  point.     It  was  in 


162  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

this  charge  that  Lieutenant  Robert  Edmondson  and 
others  lost  their  lives.  Captain  Colville  married  Mary- 
Craig,  and  his  son,  Joseph,  married  Kathrine  Link. 

Samuel  died  November  20,  1780,  of  wounds  receiv- 
ed at  King's  Mountain. 

Condiay.  John  was  in  Captain  Joel  Callahan's  com- 
pany of  Sevier's  regiment.  At  another  time  he  was  a 
private  under  Captain  William  Been. 

Cook.  William  was  in  the  Surry  troops  under  Cleve- 
land. 

Charles,  Edward,  and  Robert  were  pensioned  in 
North  Carolina  in  1833,  and  some  of  their  descendants 
claim  they  were  at  King's  Mountain. 

The  record  of  Robert  is  found  in  Lineage  Book  9,  D. 
A.  R.  and  that  of  Elisha  in  the  papers  of  the  Bonny  Kate 
Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  Knoxville,  Tennessee. 

Cope.  John  was  at  King's  Mountain.  As  a  substi- 
tute for  Mathias  Harman  he  was  in  the  Continental  ser- 
vice also.  ;J 

Corry.  James,  an  ensign,  served  under  Captain  Ed- 
mondson and  was  killed  at  almost  the  same  moment  as 
Lieutenant  Edmondson. 

Costner.  Thomas,  who  received  a  pension  in  Lin- 
coln county,  1833,  is  supposed  to  have  served  under  Ma- 
jor Chronicle. 

Coulter.  Martin  of  Surry  county  was  under  Cleve- 
land.    He  was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  county  1833. 

Couitrie.  Robert,  serving  under  Colonel  Williams, 
was  killed.    See  Lineage  Book  16,  D.  A.  R. 

Cowan.  Andrew  and  William  are  listed  by  Sum- 
mers and  Eckenrode.  They  were  captains  in  the  militia 
of  Washington  county,  1777-80,  and  were  under  Camp- 
bell at  King's  Mountain.     Andrew  settled  at  Knoxville. 

David*  and  James*  were  on  the  Hol'ston  in  1773. 

Samuel  and  Nathaniel  were  among  the  first  settlers 
at  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  coming  with  James  White  to 
settle  on  his  military  land  grant. 

Thomas  (1747-1817)  fought  also  at  Ramseur's  mill 
and  Cowpens.  He  was  born  in  Rowan  county,  North 
Carolina  and  married  Mary  Blakely. 

Cox.  William,  who  was  wounded,  was  under  Shelby. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  163 

He  was  living  on  Watauga  in  1775.  In  1793  he  was  a 
justice  in  the  first  court  of  Jefferson  at  the  house  of  Jere- 
miah Matthews.  All  the  justices  were  King's  Mountain 
men. 

Cozby  (or  Cosby).  James  was  the  regimental  sur- 
geon under  Sevier.  He  was  bold  in  taking  chances  and 
skilfully  treated  the  horrible  wounds  of  the  period.  He 
was  a  neighbor  and  friend  to  Sevier,  and  headed  the 
rescuing  party  when  North  Carolina  arrested  the  col- 
onel for  his  part  in  forming  the  state  of  Franklin.  His 
son  John  moved  to  Rhea  county,  and  his  daughter, 
Mary  was  the  wife  of  Arthur  Trayner,  a  prominent  at- 
torney of  Cleveland,  Tennessee. 

Crabiree.  Captain  James*  and  Lieutenant  *Wil- 
liam  lived  on  the  North  Branch  of  Holston.  William 
was  one  of  the  Long  Hunters  with  Colonel  Knox,  who 
went  as  far  as  the  Cumberland  Mountains  in  1770. 

Craig.  David  (1731-1785)  was  given  a  grant  of 
Tennessee  land  for  leading  a  company  of  Virginia  mil- 
itia at  King's  Mountain.  He  took  part  in  forming  the 
state  of  Franklin.  Craig  Station  was  between  Ish  and 
Henry  stations  on  the  Little  Tennessee  in  Blount  county. 
In  1792  all  three  were  attacked  by  Indians.  When 
Blount  was  taken  from  Knox  in  1795,  David  Craig  was 
one  of  the  first  magistrates.  He  married  Eleanor  John- 
son, and  many  of  their  descendants  are  in  Blount  and 
Knox. 

James  was  under  Captain  Craig.  In  1783  he  was 
sheriff  of  Washington  county,  Virginia. 

John  was  at  King's  Mountain  as  a  private,  but  in 
1787-88  was  a  captain,  fighting  the  Cherokees  under  Se- 
vier. 

Robert  was  a  captain  in  Christian's  Cherokee  cam- 
paign in  the  fall  of  1776,  and  was  in  many  border  fights 
both  before  and  after.  He  was  an  officer  at  King's 
Mountain.     Eckenrode  lists  him  as  a  lieutenant  colonel. 

Crawford.  Charles  and  John  were  in  the  battle. 
The  record  of  Charles  is  in  Lineage  Book  3,  D.  A.  R., 
and  that  of  John  in  Volume  2,  Historical  Collections  of 
Habersham  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.  A  John  owned  land  in 
Southwest  Virginia  in  1769,  was  a  constable  in  1773,  and 
a  lieutenant  in  the  First  Virginia  in  1788.  Eckenrode 
has  six  John  Crawfords  among  his  Virginia  soldiers. 


164  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

There  is  a  tradition  that  a  second  John,  from  Bote- 
tourt county,  Virginia,  was  at  King's  Mountain.  Writing 
to  Dr.  Draper  in  1825,  George  Christian  has  this  to  say 
of  him : 

"John  Crawford  at  this  time  was  a  major,  an  active 
officer,  brave  enough,  though  sometimes  indiscreet.  (He) 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Knox  county,  stood  all 
the  brunt  of  the  Indian  wars  in  those  days.  About  1792 
the  upper  towns  (were)  professing  to  be  at  peace,  whilst 
the  lower  towns  kept  up  constant  war  on  our  border  set- 
tlement. There  was  sent  for  the  use  of  the  Indians  to 
Knoxville  a  quantity  of  goods,  whilst  the  frontiers  were 
kept  in  continual  alarm  by  the  frequent  murders  and 
other  aggressions  by  the  Indians,  so  much  so,  that  a 
strong  party  headed  by  Major  Crawford  proceeded  to 
Knoxville,  dragged  out  the  goods  designed  for  the  In- 
dians, piled  them  up  on  the  streets,  set  fire  to  them  all. 
All  this  was  done  under  the  eye  of  the  regular  troops 
commanded  by  Captain  Ricard.  For  a  while  this  made 
a  good  deal  of  notice  and  noise,  but  the  government  suf- 
fered it  to  pass,  and  among  the  people  Crawford  got 
great  applause,  for  they  elected  him  to  the  legislature 
several  times." 

Crock.  William,  an  ensign,  was  in  the  troops  from 
Washington  county,  Virginia. 

Crockett.  Joseph  was  a  captain  of  the  militia  of 
Fincastle  county. 

Walter  was  a  major  of  Fincastle. 

William  was  in  the  Fincastle  militia,  1770-77. 

Walter  was  at  King's  Mountain,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  that  the  above  mentioned  went  along  also.  He 
and  Samuel  were  in  Fincastle  as  early  as  1773,  and  were 
probably  the  children  or  near  relatives  of  Joseph  and 
Esther,  who  owned  450  acres  on  the  South  Fork  of  In- 
dian River. 

John,  the  father  of  the  celebrated  Davy  Crockett, 
was  with  the  militia  from  Lincoln  county.  According 
to  the  son,  the  father  was  born  in  Ireland  or  on  the 
sea.  His  mother,  Rebecca  Hawkins,  was  born  in  Mary- 
land, and  was  related  to  the  first  wife  of  Colonel  Sevier. 
After  the  Revolution  John  Crockett  moved  from  Lin- 
coln county  to  Limestone  Creek,  about  twelve  miles  south 
of  Jonesboro.  Here  Davy  was  born  August  17,  1786,  the 
fifth  of  nine  children.  His  brother  Joseph,  who  was 
deaf  and  dumb,  was  captured  by  the  Indians  and  held 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  165 

seventeen  years,  but  was  then  located  and  redeemed  by 
the  father  and  his  eldest  brother,  William.  The  grand- 
parents of  Davy  were  killed  while  living  in  Rogersville. 
Davy  gives  this  instance  of  his  life  on  Limestone : 

"My  four  elder  brothers,  and  a  well  grown  boy  of 
fifteen  years  by  the  name  of  Campbell  and  myself  were 
playing  on  the  banks  of  the  Nolachucky  river  when  all 
the  rest  of  them  got  into  my  father's  canoe  and  put  out 
to  amuse  themselves  on  the  water,  leaving  me  on  the 
Shores  alone. 

"Just  a  little  distance  below  them  there  was  a  fall 
in  the  river,  which  went  slap-straight  down.  My  brothers 
though  little  fellows  were  used  to  paddling  the  canoe, 
and  could  have  carried  it  safely  any  where  about  there ; 
but  this  fellow  Campbell  would  not  let  them  have  the 
paddle,  but  fool  like  undertook  to  manage  it  himself.  I 
reckon  he  had  never  seen  a  water  craft  before;  and  it 
went  any  way  but  the  way  he  wanted  it.  There  he  pad- 
dled and  paddled  and  paddled — all  the  while  going 
wrong,  until  in  a  short  time  they  were  all  going  straight 
forward,  stern  formost  right  plump  to  the  falls;  and  if 
they  had  only  a  fair  shake  they  would  have  gone  over 
straight  as  a  whistle.  I  was  mad  because  they  left  me 
on  the  shore,  and  would  as  soon  seen  them  all  go  over, 
but  their  danger  was  seen  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Ken- 
dall, who  was  working  in  the  field  on  the  bank,  and  know- 
ing there  was  no  time  to  lose,  he  started  full  tilt,  like  a 
canebrake  afire,  and  as  he  ran  he  threw  off  his  clothes, 
when  he  got  in  the  water  he  had  on  nothing  but  his 
britches.  It  was  then  I  screamed  and  screamed  but 
Kendall  reached  the  canoe  when  it  was  within  twenty 
feet  of  the  falls,  and  so  great  was  the  suck,  and  so  swift 
the  current,  that  Kendall  had  a  hard  time  to  stop  them 
at  last,  but  he  hung  on  to  the  canoe  until  he  got  it  out 
of  danger.  When  they  got  out  I  found  the  boys  more 
scared  than  I  was,  and  I  believed  it  a  punishment  for 
leaving  me  on  the  shore." 

In  1794  John  Crockett  opened  a  tavern  in  Jeffer- 
son county  on  the  present  line  of  the  Southern  Railway. 
The  marriage  license  of  Davy  is  in  the  courthouse  of 
Dandridge  county. 

Cross.  Joseph  and  Zachrach  (?)  were  under  Cleve- 
land.    Joseph  was  pensioned  in  1833. 

Crow.     James  was  in  Campbell's  regiment. 


166  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

John*  commanded  a  company  from  Fincastle  at 
Point  Pleasant. 

Summers  has  a  sketch  of  James*  of  Washington 
county,  who  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  foregoing. 

Crumbless.  Thomas  was  born  in  Ireland.  His  grand- 
son, Major  H.  Crumbless  of  Roane  county,  says  he  was 
under  Sevier.  His  son  James  was  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  fought  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans. 

Crunk.     William  was  in  Campbell's  regiment. 

Culbertson.  Josiah  was  one  of  the  best  sharpshoot- 
ers in  Shelby's  regiment.  At  King's  Mountain  he  and 
others  were  ordered  to  gain  an  elevated  position  hotly 
contended  for  by  a  tory  captain.  It  did  not  take  long 
for  Culbertson  and  his  men  to  drive  them  out  and  kill 
their  leader.  At  Musgrove's  mill  his  company  played 
an  important  part. 

Curry.     James  was  an  ensign  under  Campbell. 

Cusick.  John  is  listed  as  a  soldier  from  Washing- 
ton county. 

Cutbirth.  Adam  and  Daniel  were  under  Cleveland, 
and  went  to  his  rescue  when  he  was  captured  by  Riddle. 

Dameron.  George  was  under  Major  Chronicle  at 
King's  Mountain,  and  took  part  in  several  other  engage- 
ments. He  was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  county.  Descend- 
ants are  in  North  Carolina  and  East  Tennessee. 

Darnell.  David  and  Cornelius  were  under  Camp- 
bell.    The  former  was  wounded. 

Lawrence  was  a  surveyor  who  went  to  Fincastle  in 
1774,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  in  the  battle  of  Point 
Pleasant. 

Daugherty.  George  was  a  captain  under  Sevier  and 
Shelby.  In  1778  George  Doherty  (so  spelled  by  Ramsay) 
was  active  in  keeping  the  Cherokees  from  joining  the  Brit- 
ish. He  was  a  captain  under  Sevier  at  King's  Mountain, 
and  when  the  state  of  Franklin  was  in  existence  he  be- 
came a  colonel.  In  1788  he  commanded  the  militia  of 
Knox,  Grainger,  and  Jefferson  in  a  defensive  campaign 
on  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  not  far  from  the  present 
site  of  Kingston.  He  settled  at  Dandridge  in  Jefferson, 
and  when  that  county  was  formed  he  was  one  of  its  first 
magistrates.     When  the  state  of  Tennessee  was  formed 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  167 

in  1796  he  represented  his  county  in  the  constitutional 
convention.  Colonel  Daugherty  was  conspicuous  in  the 
border  wars  and  in  the  formation  of  Franklin  and  Tennes- 
see. He  was  a  staunch  friend  of  Colonel  Sevier  in  his 
stormy  but  brilliant  career.  His  unmarked  grave  is  near 
the  courthouse  at  Dandridge. 

It  is  claimed  that  James  Daugherty  (or  Doherty)  was 
at  King's  Mountain.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  later  cam- 
paigns against  the  Indians.  Ramsay  says  he  drew  a  cap- 
tain's salary  in  1793  for  service  with  the  volunteer  troops. 

Davidson.  Benjamin  and  William  were  under  Colo- 
nel McDowell.  Their  home  was  at  Davidson's  Fort  in  the 
extreme  west  of  Burke  county. 

William  was  state  senator  from  Mecklenburg,  1815- 
16.     He  was  still  living  at  Charlotte  in  1851. 

Samuel  is  supposed  to  have  been  at  King's  Mountain. 
His  record  is  in  Arthur's  History  of  Watauga  County. 

Davis.  John,  Nathaniel,  Robert,  and  Samuel  were 
all  in  the  battle  in  Campbell's  regiment.  John  was  a 
captain.  In  1774  the  others  owned  much  land  in  Fin- 
castle. 

In  1748  one  James  owned  300  acres  on  the  head  of 
Indian.  This  place — Davis'  Fancy — is  yet  in  the  fam- 
ily. 

William  was  under  Major  Joseph  McDowell.  He 
was  pensioned  at  Jonesboro,  1833. 

Joel*  and  Nathan*  were  pensioned  by  North  Caro- 
lina. In  1783  Nathan  emigrated  to  Greene  county,  Ten- 
nessee, where  his  son  Jonathan  married  Sarah  Crosby, 
whose  father  Uriah  fought  under  Shelby,  so  it  is  claimed. 
This  Davis  family  asserts  that  Nathan  was  brother  to  the 
grandfather  of  Jefferson  Davis.  Descendants  are  in 
Loudoun  county. 

Davison.  Lieutenant  William  and  Ensign  Daniel 
were  under  Campbell.  The  wife  of  Daniel  was  Phoebe 
and  died  before  1758  (?). 

Dawson.  Elias  was  under  Shelby,  according  to  the 
Draper  manuscripts. 

Delaney.  William  was  an  orderly  sergeant  under 
Shelby.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  near  Bristol.  The 
fort  built  on  his  land  became  the  first  schoolhouse  in  that 
valley.  He  acquired  much  real  estate  and  slave  property, 
became  wealthy,  and  known  as  Major  Delaney.    His  son, 


168  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

John  Rhodes  Delaney,  was  sheriff  of  Sullivan,  many  years 
president  of  the  county  court  of  Sullivan,  and  a  general 
in  the  Indian  wars.  He  was  born  1799,  and  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas  McDowell  of  Ireland. 

Dennison.    Robert  was  under  Campbell. 

Desha.  Robert  was  in  the  battle,  and  in  1792,  when 
living  in  the  Cumberland  settlement,  his  sons,  Benjamin 
and  Robert  were  killed  by  Indians.  See  Lineage  Book 
8,  D.  A.  R. 

Detgaoorett  (  ? ) .  John  was  in  the  border  battles 
with  Shelby  in  the  early  months  of  1780,  and  I  infer  that 
he  went  with  him  to  King's  Mountain.  See  Draper  manu- 
scripts. 

Dickenson.  Henry  was  in  Captain  Colville's  com- 
pany of  Campbell's  regiment.  His  record  is  given  by 
Draper. 

Dickey.  Draper  also  gives  the  record  of  Andrew 
and  David,  who  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  were  ordered 
to  go  with  Colonel  Graham  on  a  home  call  occasioned  by 
serious  illness.  When  they  heard  the  firing  they  re- 
turned. 

Dickson.  Joseph  commanded  a  company  of  Lincoln 
county  men.  His  homestead  is  two  miles  northwest  of 
Mount  Holly.  General  Rutherford  camped  there  the 
night  before  the  attack  on  the  tories  at  Ramseur's  mill. 
He  accompanied  the  general  next  day,  passing  over  the 
then  vacant  land  granted  him  five  years  later  as  proprie- 
tor in  trust  for  the  citizens  of  Lincoln.  With  the  rank 
of  major  he  was  one  of  the  officers  to  lead  the  South 
Fork  boys  up  the  rugged  northeast  end  of  King's  Moun- 
tain, facing  the  bullets  and  bayonets  of  the  enemy  above. 
In  1781,  when  colonel,  he  was  elected  county  clerk,  hold- 
ing this  office  ten  years.  He  was  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee that  selected  the  site  of  Lincolnton,  and  according 
to  the  usage  of  the  time  he  granted  the  deeds  to  the  ori- 
ginal purchasers  of  lots.  He  was  state  senator  from  Lin- 
coln, 1788-1795,  and  in  1789  was  one  of  the  forty  ori- 
ginal trustees  of  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  He 
was  then  a  general  of  militia,  and  in  1799-1801  a  member 
of  Congress.  In  1803  he  sold  his  1200  acres  and  removed 
to  Rutherford,  where  he  died  April  24,  1825,  aged 
eighty.    He  was  buried  with  military  and  masonic  honors. 

Joseph  of  Rowan  county  was  born  1745  and  died 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  169 

1825  in  Rutherford  county,  Tennessee,  whither  he  had 
removed  in  1806.  His  wife  was  Margaret  McEwen.  He 
was  in  service  throughout  the  Revolution,  and  was  a 
major  at  King's  Mountain. 

Dillard.  Benjamin  and  James  were  in  Williams' 
South  Carolina  regiment.  Colonel  James  was  born  in 
Culpeper  county,  Virginia,  1755,  and  in  1772  was  living 
in  Laurens  district,  South  Carolina.  He  was  at  the  siege 
of  Charleston.  His  service  at  Cowpens,  Hammond's  store 
and  elsewhere  is  given  by  Draper. 

Dixon  (Dickson).  Joseph  was  at  King's  Mountain, 
according  to  Lineage  Book  9,  D.  A.  R.  of  N.  C.  He  was 
pensioned,  as  were  also  John  and  Joel  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina line. 

Doak.  On  the  beginning  of  the  march  of  the  Expe- 
dition, the  Rev.  Samuel  Doak,  the  pioneer  clergyman  of 
Watauga,  invoked  the  divine  guidance  and  protection, 
giving  the  men  some  stirring  remarks  on  "the  sword  of 
the  Lord  and  Gideon." 

Dobson.  Dr.  Joseph  Dobson  attended  the  wounded 
soldiers,  and  at  one  time  after  the  battle  had  eighteen 
under  his  care.    See  Draper. 

Doran.  Alexander  (ensign),  James  and  Terence 
were  under  Campbell.  Summers  names  Alexander  and 
James. 

Dorton.  Moses  and  William,  Jr.,  were  in  the  battle, 
serving  under  Campbell.  The  former  had  a  horse  killed 
under  him  at  Whitsell's  mill. 

Douglas.  James  and  Jonathan  were  under  Camp- 
bell. The  latter  was  wounded.  An  Edward  received  a 
pension  in  Jefferson  county,  1832. 

Dryden.  James,  Nathaniel,  and  William  were  under 
Campbell.  Nathaniel  was  killed.  James  (1739-1832) 
married  Lydia  Jester. 

Duff.  David  is  mentioned  by  Draper  and  Samuel  by 
Summers.  Captain  William*,  also  of  Washington  county, 
was  in  the  Revolution. 

Duncan.  Jesse  was  in  Cleveland's  regiment  and  Jos- 
eph in  Sevier's  in  Been's  company.  John,  also  a  Watauga 
rifleman,  was  no  doubt  in  the  battle,  for  he  had  just  seen 


170  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

service  fighting  Indians  and    tories.      See    Draper    and 
Ramsay. 

Dysart.  James  was  born  in  Ireland  and  was  a  Long 
Hunter  in  1761.  He  settled  on  the  Holston,  marrying 
Nancy,  daughter  of  David  Beattie.  As  a  captain  under 
Campbell  he  was  wounded  at  King's  Mountain.  Major 
Dysart  saw  active  service  in  the  Revolution  and  was  a 
prominent  factor  in  Washington  county,  Virginia.  He 
died  at  Rockcastle,  Kentucky,  1831,  aged  seventy-four. 

Earnest  (Ernest?).  The  Rev.  Felix  was  in  Samuel 
Williams'  company  of  Sevier's  regiment.  He  was  from 
Greene  county,  Tennessee,  where  many  of  his  descen- 
dants live. 

Eddiemon.  Peter  was  in  the  Lincoln  County  regi- 
ment and  was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  in  1835. 

Edmondson.  Eight  of  this  name  were  at  King's 
Mountain.  Three  were  killed  and  one  wounded,  all  be- 
ing officers  under  Campbell.  These  four  were  Captain 
William,  Robert  Sr.,  and  Andrew,  killed,  and  Lieutenant 
Robert  Jr.,  wounded.  The  other  four  were  Major  Wil- 
liam, and  privates  John,  Samuel  and  William.  Summers 
names  two  Williams  and  one  Thomas,  while  Draper 
names  three  Williams  and  no  Thomas.  The  surname 
was  variously  spelled  in  Revolutionary  days.  Their  an- 
cestors came  from  Ireland  to  Rockbridge  county,  Vir- 
ginia, whence  some  of  them  moved  on  to  the  Holston. 

Elder.  Robert  and  William  were  with  Campbell. 
Robert  was  pensioned  in  South  Carolina. 

Elliott.  Captain  James  was  under  Campbell.  He 
was  an  early  settler  on  the  Holston,  and  was  killed  by  a 
concealed  Indian  at  Tellico  in  1780,  while  with  Campbell 
in  his  Cherokee  expedition. 

Elmore.  William  was  under  Cleveland  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  North  Carolina.  Eckenrode  mentions  nine  other 
Elmores. 

Ely.  William  was  under  Campbell  and  was  pen- 
sioned. 

Enlow.  Potter  (1769-1833)  was  in  the  South  Caro- 
lina regiment  at  Blackstock,  King's  Mountain,  Cowpens, 
and  Eutaw.  He  married  Mary  Chummer  (1798-1865). 
Lineage  Book  39,  D.  A.  R. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  171 

Estill.  Benjamin  was  one  of  the  first  justices  of  Fin- 
castle.  In  1779  he  bought  1400  acres  in  Russell  county. 
His  wife  was  Kitty  Moffett  and  many  of  his  descendants 
are  in  the  South. 

Espey.  Samuel  was  a  captain  under  Chronicle.  He 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  1758,  and  in  1770  was  living 
in  Lincoln  county.  He  was  in  active  service  from  1776 
till  the  close  of  the  war  and  was  wounded  at  King's 
Mountain.    See  Draper. 

Evans.  Andrew,  David,  Evan,  and  Samuel  were  at 
King's  Mountain.  Evan  was  also  at  Guilford.  The 
Evanses  were  early  settlers  on  the  Holston  and  in  1779 
suffered  from  an  Indian  massacre. 

Philip  (1759-1849)  was  born  in  Rowan  county  and 
was  in  McDowell's  regiment.  A  fall  from  his  horse  made 
it  necessary  to  leave  him  behind,  but  he  recovered  suffi- 
ciently to  assist  in  guarding  the  prisoners  on  the  return 
from  the  battlefield.  He  was  also  at  Cowpens.  He  died 
in  Greenville  county,  South  Carolina. 

Ewart.  James  and  Robert  were  in  the  North  Caro- 
lina line.    See  Lineage  Book  16,  D.  A.  R. 

Ewin.     Hugh  was  under  Campbell.     See  Draper. 

Ewing.  Alexander,  listed  by  Eckenrode  as  a  lieuten- 
ant, was  a  captain  in  a  Virginia  regiment  and  wounded 
at  Guilford.  He  died  in  Tennessee.  I  have  no  positive 
proof  that  he  was  at  King's  Mountain.  See  Lineage 
Book  9,  D.  A.  R. 

Fagan.  John  of  Shelby's  regiment  was  wounded  in 
an  assault  on  a  breastwork  of  wagons.  This  is  mention- 
ed by  Ramsay. 

Fapolson.  Andrew  was  in  Captain  Evan  Shelby's 
company  at  King's  Mountain,  and  was  in  many  other 
border  engagements.  See  Ramsay  and  Draper  manu- 
scripts. 

Farewell.  James  was  with  the  Lincoln  county  men 
and  was  pensioned  in  that  county.    Booklet  9,  D.  A.  R. 

Faris.  Thomas  was  in  Campbell's  regiment,  accord- 
ing to  Summers.  Eckenrode  mentions  Isaac,  two  Johns, 
Larkin,  Martin,  and  Richard  as  soldiers  of  the  Revolution. 

Farrow.  Landon,  Samuel,  and  Thomas  were  broth- 
ers and  nephews  of  Colonel  Philemon  Waters.     They 


172  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

moved  from  Virginia  to  the  vicinity  of  Musgrove's  mill  in 
South  Carolina.  In  the  same  regiment  was  John  Farrow. 
See  Habersham  Collection,  D.  A.  R. 

Fear.  Edmund  was  a  captain  under  McDowell  and 
was  from  Burke  county.  Thomas  of  the  North  Carolina 
line  was  pensioned,  but  his  name  does  not  appear  on  the 
battle  roll. 

Findley.  John,  a  Long  Hunter,  was  wounded  at 
Long  Island  on  Holston  while  in  Edmondson's  company. 
He  was  in  the  same  command  at  King's  Mountain. 

George  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Virginia  regiment. 
See  Summers  and  Ramsay. 

Fisher.  Frederick,  a  private  in  Campbell's  regiment, 
was  wounded.     He  is  listed  by  Summers  and  Draper. 

Flecnor.  Four  brothers  of  German  descent  were 
early  settlers  on  the  Holston.  Charles  and  Joel  were  in 
the  battle.  John*  and  Michael*  settled  in  Poor  Valley. 
Michael  was  in  the  Virginia  militia. 

Fletcher.  Thomas  is  mentioned  by  Summers.  In 
1794  he  was  living  in  the  Mero  district,  and  with  a  young 
son  was  killed  by  Indians. 

Floyd.  Andrew  was  under  Graham  and  was  pen- 
sioned. His  name  is  not  in  the  Floyd  genealogy  in  the 
Habersham  Collection. 

Fork.  William  is  listed  by  Summers.  One  Peter  is 
mentioned  by  Eckenrode. 

Fowler.     William  was  killed  in  the  battle. 
James,*  a  noted  scout  under  William  Russell,  and 
John*  were  early  immigrants  to  the  Holston. 

Fox.  John  of  Burke  county  was  with  Cleveland. 
His  son  John  settled  on  Beaver  Creek  in  Knox  county, 
Tennessee,  1819,  and  married  Ann  Galbraith.  Austin, 
another  son,  married  Margaret  Walker  of  Burke  and  also 
went  to  Beaver.    See  Goodspeed. 

Francis.  One  of  the  3000  graves  of  soldiers  of  the 
Revolution  located  by  D.  A.  R.  chapters  is  thus  mention- 
ed: "Major  Henry  Francis.     Died  June  28,  18 (?). 

Buried  in  Spring  Hill  Graveyard,  Johnson  county,  Ark- 
ansas." 

Thomas  is  listed  by  Summers. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  173 

Frazier.  David  and  John  are  in  Summers'  list.  The 
18th  Report,  D.  A.  R.  speaks  of  the  grave  of  a  John  Fraz- 
ier near  Danville,  Illinois.  One  John  Frazier  was  pen- 
sioned in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  1833,  when  sixty- 
nine  years  old. 

Frigge.  John  and  Robert  were  under  Major  Evan 
Shelby  of  Isaac  Shelby's  regiment.  See  Draper  manu- 
script. 

Frost.  Micajah  was  under  Cleveland.  He  was  pen- 
sioned in  Rockcastle  county,  Kentucky  Aug.  6,  1833, 
when  seventy-two  years  old.  Many  of  his  descendants 
are  in  Union  and  Grainger  counties,  Tennessee. 

Fulkerson.  James,  a  captain,  and  Richard  are  listed 
by  Summers. 

John*  was  pensioned  in  Grayson  county,  Kentucky, 
October  18,  1833. 

Another  John*,  also  of  the  Virginia  militia,  was  pen- 
sioned in  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  in  1833,  when 
seventy-nine  years  old. 

Gaines.  James*  was  living  in  Sullivan  county,  Ten- 
nessee, in  1796,  and  died  there  in  1830.  Lineage  Book  12, 
D.  A.  R.  He  was  a  nephew  to  Edmund  Pendleton,  the 
Virginia  statesman. 

James  Sr.*  was  pensioned  in  North  Carolina,  1833. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  Ambrose  of  the  Virginia 
militia  was  in  the  battle.  He  was  pensioned  in  Sullivan 
county,  Tennessee,  in  1833  when  seventy-one  years  old. 

Galbraith.  Arthur  of  Virginia  was  buried  in  Haw- 
kins county,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  with  Bowen's 
Fincastle  company  under  Colonel  Campbell. 

Robert*,  also  of  the  Virginia  militia,  located  a  land 
warrant  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee. 

John*  was  a  delegate  from  Greene  to  the  Tennes- 
see convention  of  1796. 

Gallaher.  John  had  a  horse  killed  under  him.  He 
moved  from  Washington  county,  Virginia,  and  located  on 
land  twenty  miles  from  Knoxville.  While  away  on  mili- 
tary duty  his  house  on  the  Holston  was  burned  by  the 
Indians.  Many  of  his  descendants  are  in  Knox  and  ad- 
joining counties. 

Gamble.  Robert  was  at  King's  Mountain  and  Guil- 
ford.    He  established  Gamble's  Station  on  the  Little  Ten- 


174  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

nessee  near  Maryville  about  seven  miles  from  Craig's 
Station.  In  1796  it  suffered  from  Indian  raids.  Many- 
descendants  are  in  Blount  county. 

Choat  and  Josiah  were  early  settlers  on  Watauga. 

Gammon.  Harris,  a  soldier  under  Sevier,  was  in  the 
militia  of  Washington  county,  North  Carolina.  He  was 
pensioned  in  Knox  county,  1833,  when  seventy-six  years 
old. 

Richard  represented  Sullivan  in  the  state  of  Frank- 
lin in  1784. 

James  and  John  were  Virginia  soldiers. 

Gann.  Thomas  was  a  private  in  the  North  Carolina 
cavalry,  and  was  pensioned  in  Hamilton  county  in  1833, 
when  seventy-one  years  old. 

Gass.  John,  of  the  militia  of  Washington  county, 
North  Carolina,  was  a  sergeant  under  Sevier.  He  was 
pensioned  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  1833,  when  sev- 
enty-two years  old.  He  and  Joseph  Callaway  represent- 
ed Greene  county  in  the  first  Tennessee  convention. 

Gibson.  John,  George,  and  Thomas  are  listed  by 
Summers. 

John,  one  of  Sevier's  riflemen,  assisted  Jesse  Green 
in  hanging  the  notorious  Dykes,  a  tory,  in  1779.  A  John 
Gibson  went  with  John  Donelson  to  Davidson  county  in 
1780.  A  John  settled  in  the  forks  of  Holston  in  1786 
with  James  White  and  James  Cozby.  Later,  he  and  Jesse 
Green  went  to  rescue  Colonel  Sevier  from  the  courthouse 
of  Morgan  county. 

Giles.  William,  a  South  Carolina  soldier  under  Col- 
onel Lacy,  was  wounded  but  recovered,  and  was  in  active 
service  in  Union  district,  South  Carolina. 

Gilleland.  James  was  a  lieutenant  in  Campbell's 
regiment,  and  was  pensioned  in  Washington  county  in 
1835. 

John  was  under  Sevier,  was  wounded,  and  was  pen- 
sioned. In  1783  he  was  living  at  the  mouth  of  Pigeon. 
He  supported  the  state  of  Franklin  and  was  a  faithful 
friend  to  Colonel  Sevier. 

Gillespie.  Thomas,  Jr.,  was  only  fourteen  when  un- 
der Campbell  at  King's  Mountain. 

Thomas  and  George  settled  on  Watauga  in  1772. 
In  1786  Captain  Thomas  settled  three  miles  below  the 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  175 

mouth  of  the  French  Broad,  other  King's  Mountain  sol- 
diers locating  their  land  grants  in  the  vicinity.  He  was 
active  in  border  service.  His  fort  at  Watauga  was  raided 
in  1774,  and  his  blockhouse  on  the  Holston  was  many 
times  threatened. 

William,  a  captain,  was  with  Sevier  in  much  of  his 
border  warfare. 

George  must  have  been  a  brother  to  Captain  Thom- 
as, since  he  came  with  him  to  the  Watauga,  was  a  part- 
ner in  his  land  deals,  and  was  living  in  1777  near  Sevier 
at  the  mouth  of  Big  Limestone. 

All  the  above  must  have  gone  with  Sevier  to  King's 
Mountain,  but  though  I  have  no  proof  to  this  effect,  there 
is  ample  proof  of  their  participation  in  the  border  war- 
fare. 

The  ruins  of  Thomas  Gillespie's  cabin  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Holston  could  be  seen  a  few  years  ago  near 
the  residence  of  James  Huffacre.  In  1787  a  party  of 
Indians  crossed  the  river  and  suddenly  appeared  before 
the  door.  They  knew  the  captain  was  twelve  miles  away 
on  Dumplin  Creek.  The  Indians  entered  and  made  a  mo- 
tion to  scalp  a  sleeping  baby.  Mrs.  Gillespie  rushed  to 
the  door  and  called  loudly  for  help.  Thinking  men  were 
near  the  Indians  fled  to  the  canebrake.  Mrs.  Gillespie 
then  caught  up  her  baby,  and  fled  along  the  path  by 
which  her  husband  would  come,  all  the  while  thinking 
she  was  pursued.  After  going  several  miles  she  met  the 
captain,  who  took  the  wife  and  child  to  Manifold  Sta- 
tion, and  then  went  home  with  some  companions.  He 
found  the  Indians  firing  the  house,  but  they  were  driven 
away. 

Gilliam.  Devereux  was  in  the  border  wars,  and 
there  is  a  tradition  that  he  was  at  King's  Mountain.  He 
was  an  early  settler  in  the  fork  at  the  mouth  of  the 
French  Broad.  His  cabin  was  called  Gilliam  Station  and 
stood  between  Lebanon  Church  and  the  stone  house  of  the 
Ramsays.  After  the  building  of  the  stone  house,  the 
station  was  called  Mecklenburg.  Here  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Garrick  organized  the  first  Presbyterian  church  in  Knox. 

Gilliham.  Jacob  was  with  Colonel  Williams.  After 
the  war  he  moved  from  South  Carolina  to  Maury  county, 
Tennessee,  where  he  was  pensioned  in  1833,  when  eighty- 
seven  years  of  age. 

Gilmer.     Enoch  and    William    were    brothers    from 


17G  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Lincoln  county.  William  was  wounded.  Enoch  was 
recommended  by  Major  Chronicle  as  a  good  spy  to  locate 
Ferguson's  army.  Others  thought  differently,  because  he 
was  a  stranger  to  the  section  which  they  supposed  Fergu- 
son was  marching  through.  But  the  major  insisted  he 
was  capable  of  finding  his  way  through  any  country,  that 
he  was  shrewd,  a  stranger  to  fear,  could  laugh  and  cry 
at  the  same  time,  and  could  so  act  the  lunatic  and  fool 
that  his  best  friends  could  not  recognize  him.  He  and 
some  others  were  selected  and  they  started  off.  Gilmer 
called  at  the  house  of  a  tory  not  far  in  the  advance,  and 
told  him  he  wanted  to  join  Ferguson,  but  could  not  find 
him  on  the  road  to  Ninety-Six.  The  unsuspecting  tory 
told  all  he  knew  about  Ferguson's  movements.  Gilmer 
slipped  away,  his  information  causing  the  expedition  to 
move  toward  Cherokee  Ford,  where  it  was  halted  and 
Gilmer  sent  forward  to  reconnoiter.  In  a  little  while  the 
scout  was  heard  singing  "Barney  Linn,"  a  favorite  bal- 
lad of  the  time.  Since  it  was  a  token  that  all  was  clear, 
the  river  was  crossed  and  Gilmer  again  sent  forward. 
Rain  was  still  falling  and  after  proceeding  several  miles, 
Gilmer's  horse  was  seen  tied  to  the  gate  at  a  tory  house. 
The  rider  was  inside,  eating  a  good  meal,  prepared  by 
two  women  for  whom  they  supposed  to  be  one  of  the 
king's  men.  "You  damned  rascal,"  exclaimed  Colonel 
Campbell,  "we  have  got  you."  "A  true  king's  man,  by 
God,"  replied  Gilmer.  In  order  to  test  the  scout,  Camp- 
bell swore  they  would  hang  him  at  the  gate  and  had  a 
running  noose  thrown  over  his  neck.  Chronicle  begged 
for  Gilmer's  life,  and  said  if  he  were  hanged  here  the 
scout  would  haunt  the  two  women  who  were  entreating 
that  he  be  spared.  Campbell  then  said  the  hanging 
would  be  postponed  until  they  found  a  big  tree  in  the 
nearest  woods.  When  they  were  out  of  sight  the  rope 
was  taken  from  Gilmer's  neck.  He  then  mounted  his 
horse  and  rode  on  to  the  battle.  Thus  a  grim  time  was 
not  devoid  of  humor. 

Gist.  Benjamin  was  with  Sevier.  In  1778  he  was  a 
justice  of  Washington  county,  North  Carolina,  and  in 
1780  was  a  captain  in  its  militia.  His  company  was  also 
in  the  fight  at  Boyd's  Bridge,  which  took  place  soon  after 
King's  Mountain.  Captains  Russell  and  Gist  were  sent 
ahead  by  Sevier  to  head  off  an  Indian  uprising,  and  thus 
give  time  for  the  expedition  to  get  home.  Gist  was  a 
supporter  of  the  state  of  Franklin. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  177 

Joseph  and  Joshua  were  in  the  border  wars  and 
were  undoubtedly  at  King's  Mountain. 

The  record  of  Mordecai  is  in  Lineage  Book  12,  D. 
A.  R. 

Nathaniel  was  under  Campbell,  and  was  killed  at 
nearly  the  same  moment  as  Edmondson,  his  captain.  He, 
also,  had  been  in  the  border  wars,  and  was  a  trader  with 
the  Indians.  In  1761  he  bought  from  the  Cherokees  Long 
Island  in  the  Holston,  and  it  was  here  that  a  treaty  was 
made  with  them  in  1777. 

Richard  and  Thomas,  who  seem  to  have  been 
brothers,  were  also  in  Edmondson's  company.  Thomas 
was  in  the  battle  at  Boyd's  Bridge. 

Given.  James  was  with  Colonel  Campbell  at  King's 
Mountain  and  also  at  Green  Spring  in  1781.  He  was 
born  in  1764,  and  was  living  in  1844. 

Godwin.  Joseph,  Robinson,  and  Samuel  were  from 
Lincoln  county,  and  served  under  Cleveland.  They  were 
pensioned  in  Lincoln  in  1833. 

Goforth.  Preston  was  in  the  Rutherford  troops 
under  Colonel  Hampton  and  was  killed.  Three  brothers 
were  on  the  tory  side,  and  they  were  likewise  killed.  One 
of  them,  whose  name  was  John,  is  said  to  have  been  slain 
by  Preston,  who  in  turn  was  killed  by  John.  Mrs.  Arthur 
Patterson,  who  lived  near,  went  there  in  the  afternoon  to 
assist  in  caring  for  the  wounded.  Bettie  Goforth,  a  neigh- 
bor, hauled  her  dead  husband  home  on  a  sled. 

Goff.  Andrew,  an  ensign,  and  William  were  in 
Campbell's  regiment.  Andrew  was  in  Shelby's  company 
at  Point  Pleasant. 

Gordon.  Charles  was  a  native  of  Virginia  who  mov- 
ed to  Wilkes  county,  North  Carolina,  where  he  filled  pub- 
lic positions,  and  became  a  major  of  militia.  At  King's 
Mountain  he  was  in  Cleveland's  command.  There  were 
many  hand  to  hand  combats  in  the  battle.  Gordon  grab- 
bed a  tory  officer  by  the  queue  and  while  dragging  him 
down  the  mountain  he  was  shot  in  the  left  arm.  The 
whig  then  drew  his  sword  and  dispatched  his  captive.  His 
wife  was  a  daughter  of  General  Lenoir.  He  died  in  1790 
at  the  age  of  thirty-seven.  His  widow  married  Colonel 
William  Davenport,  founder  of  the  Davenport  Female 
School  at  Lenoir. 


178  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Chapman  and  George  were  also  in  the  North  Caro- 
lina troops.    Their  record  is  in  Lineage  Book  8,  D.  A.  R. 

Gourley  (also  Gorly  and  Gorely).  Thomas  was  an 
early  settler  on  the  Watauga  and  served  under  Sevier. 
When  the  state  of  Franklin  fell  into  trouble,  Gourley 
sided  with  the  Tipton  faction,  and  was  one  of  the  guards 
to  take  Sevier  to  Morganton.  When  French,  the  other 
guard,  wanted  to  kill  the  prisoner,  Gourley  prevented  this 
and  told  Sevier  about  it. 

Graham.     James  was  in  Campbell's  Virginia  troops. 

Colonel  William  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1742,  and 
died  in  Shelby  county,  North  Carolina,  1835.  A  short 
time  before  the  opening  of  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain 
he  was  urgently  asked  to  go  home  because  of  the  serious 
illness  of  his  wife.  Some  of  the  men  detailed  to  accom- 
pany him  heard  the  firing  and  hastily  returned  to  the 
field,  but  arrived  only  in  time  to  guard  the  prisoners. 
Graham  was  in  the  Provincial  Congress  of  1775,  and  was 
colonel  of  Tryon  county.  Among  the  battles  in  which  he 
took  part  were  Cedar  Spring,  Thicketty  Fort,  and  the 
Snow,  so  called  because  of  the  unusually  deep  snow  at 
the  time.    See  Hunter's  Sketches. 

Gray.  James  was  from  Rutherford.  While  looking 
after  the  tory  wounded  the  morning  after  the  battle,  he 
came  upon  a  neighbor  unable  to  walk  because  of  a  wound 
in  the  ankle.  Knowing  he  was  a  tory  by  principle  and 
not  one  of  the  thieving  sort,  Graham  took  out  his  hand- 
kerchief and  dressed  the  wound.  The  tory  was  ever  after 
a  friend  and  a  useful  citizen  of  Rutherford  to  the  end 
of  his  life. 

William  was  a  second  lieutenant  under  Cleveland. 
After  the  war  he  moved  to  Wilson  county,  Tennessee,  and 
was  one  of  its  first  magistrates.  He  was  there  pensioned 
in  1833,  when  seventy-seven  years  old. 

Green.  Jesse  appears  early  in  the  Watauga  settle- 
ment, and  was  active  in  the  border  wars.  Before  going 
to  King's  Mountain,  Jesse  Green  and  John  Gibson  hang- 
ed Dykes  and  Bradley,  two  malicious  tories.  The  court 
of  Washington  passed  an  act  of  oblivion  for  their  relief. 
Both  men  went  to  Morganton  to  rescue  Sevier.  Green 
was  pensioned  in  1833. 

Greer.  Alexander  was  an  early  settler  of  Watauga, 
and  signed  the  petition  sent  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  179 

Halifax,  asking  annexation.  He  was  in  Sevier's  regiment, 
and  in  1792  was  a  captain  in  the  Territory  South  of  the 
Ohio. 

Andrew*  also  signed  the  petition  above  named,  and 
was  one  of  those  affected  by  the  Cherokee  land  purchase 
of  1775.  He  located  on  the  present  site  of  Elizabethton, 
near  where  the  Naves  live.  When  in  a  Cherokee  town  in 
1775,  he  suspected  harm,  because  of  the  queer  conduct  of 
another  trader  named  Walker.  He  quietly  slipped  away 
with  his  furs,  not  taking  the  usual  way  back.  Boyd  and 
Doggett  took  the  other  path,  were  killed  by  Indians,  and 
their  bodies  thrown  into  a  creek.  The  stream,  which  is 
in  Sevier  county,  has  since  been  known  as  Boyd's  Creek. 
When  chief  Abraham  of  Chilhowee  attacked  Watauga 
fort  in  1776,  Greer  had  a  hand  in  his  defeat,  but  the  In- 
dian captured  Mrs.  William  Been.  This  affair  was  called 
the  siege  of  Watauga,  the  Indians  blockading  the  place 
twenty  days.  Greer  was  a  magistrate  in  1778,  and  on 
the  formation  of  Carter  county  was  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners to  select  a  site  for  the  courthouse  and  erect  the 
county  buildings.  He  was  one  of  Sevier's  men  at  King's 
Mountain. 

Andrew  Jr.,  son  of  the  foregoing,  was  also  under 
Sevier,  and  he  signed  the  petition  to  Halifax. 

Joseph  also  signed  the  Halifax  petition,  and  was  one 
of  Sevier's  sharpshooters  at  King's  Mountain.  When 
Knoxville  was  laid  out  by  James  White  in  1792,  Greer 
was  one  of  the  first  lot-buyers  and  descendants  are  still 
in  Knox. 

Gregory.  John  and  William  were  of  Lincoln  county, 
and  were  there  pensioned  in  1833. 

Grier.  John  and  James  were  from  Washington 
county,  Virginia. 

Griffing.  Joseph  was  a  South  Carolina  soldier.  See 
Lineage  Book  10,  D.  A.  R. 

Grimes.  George  and  James  were  from  Washington 
county,  Virginia. 

Gwaltney.  Nathan  was  from  Lincoln  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  1833. 

Hackett.  John  was  one  of  the  two  hundred  picked 
up  by  Colonel  Arthur  Campbell  to  go  to  King's  Mountain. 
He  located  a  land  grant  near  Campbell  Station. 


180  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Hafner  (Hofner).  Nicholas  was  a  soldier  under 
Colonel  James  Johnstone  of  Lincoln,  and  was  pensioned 
in  Lincoln  1833. 

Hager.  Simon  was  also  under  Johnstone,  and  was 
pensioned  in  Lincoln  in  1833.  The  following  letter  would 
seem  to  indicate  that  there  were  two  of  this  name. 

Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen :  The  resolve  of  your 
House  permitting  Joseph  Taylor,  Esq.  to  resign  his  ap- 
pointment as  clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  for  the  District 
of  Hillsborough,  we  return  concurred  with,  whereas  it 
appears  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  General  Assembly  that 
William  Graham,  a  colonel  of  the  county  Lincoln  hath 
been  guilty  of  receiving  a  bribe  for  procuring  the  dis- 
charge of  a  prisoner  named  Simon  Hager,  taken  at  Kings' 
Mountain,  that  the  said  Graham  as  an  officer  has  been 
guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  the  aforesaid  William  Graham  be  dis- 
charged from  the  said  office,  and  that  Joseph  Dixon  be 
appointed  Colonel  of  the  said  county  of  Lincoln. 

Haile.  John  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  at  Wa- 
tauga, a  signer  of  the  Halifax  petition,  and  one  of  the 
three  to  represent  the  district  in  the  Provincial  Congress, 
the  others  being  John  Carter  and  John  Sevier.  Descen- 
dants are  in  Hawkins  county. 

Hall.  David  was  under  McDowell.  He  was  present 
in  other  engagements.  See  Register  of  Bonny  Kate  Chap- 
ter, D.  A.  R.,  Knoxville,  Tennessee. 

John  was  with  Colonel  Williams,  received  a  pension 
in  South  Carolina,  moved  to  Knox  county  in  1783,  and 
upheld  the  state  of  Franklin. 

Jesse  of  the  Montgomery  militia  was  one  of  Arthur 
Campbell's  troop,  and  was  pensioned  in  Montgomery, 
1833. 

Hambrighi.  Frederick  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1727,  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1740,  and  by  1755  was 
in  Virginia,  where  he  married  Sarah  Hardin.  Before  the 
Revolution  he  moved  to  Long  Creek  in  Tryon  county  with 
his  brothers-in-law,  John,  Joseph,  and  Benjamin  Hardin; 
also  James  Kuykendall,  Nathaniel  Henderson,  Robert 
Leeper,  and  others.  Just  before  the  battle  of  King's 
Mountain  he  built  a  cabin  on  a  large  purchase  on  King 
Creek,  intending  to  live  there.  He  entered  the  Revolu- 
tion early  and  became  a  lieutenant  colonel  in  1777.  He 
was  an  active  and  courageous  officer,  and  a  terror  to  the 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  181 

tories,  who  well  knew  the  vigor  of  his  determination  to 
rid  his  county  of  a  malicious  and  plundering  nuisance. 
By  the  first  wife  Hambright  had  John  H.,  Elizabeth, 
Frederick,  Sarah,  Benjamin,  James  and  four  others.  The 
first,  John  Hardin  Hambright,  was  at  King's  Mountain. 
By  the  second  wife,  Mary  Dover,  there  were  ten  more 
children.  At  King's  Mountain  Colonel  William  Graham 
had  charge  of  the  Lincoln  county  men,  but  having  to  go 
home  because  of  his  wife's  illness,  his  place  was  taken 
by  Hambright.  No  command  suffered  more  severely. 
Major  Chronicle  fell  at  the  first  fire.  Captain  John  Mat- 
tocks, Lieutenants  Robb  and  Boyd,  and  several  others 
also  lost  their  lives.  Hambright  was  badly  wounded  at 
the  beginning,  but  kept  cheering  his  men  to  victory.  Af- 
ter the  battle  he  refused  aid  until  the  most  severely 
wounded  were  attended  to.  He  was  cared  for  at  his 
King  Creek  home  until  he  was  well.  He  was  a  worthy 
elder  of  the  Shiloh  Presbyterian  Church.  On  his  tomb- 
stone are  these  words:  "In  memory  of  Colonel  Ham- 
bright, departed  this  life,  March,  1817,  in  his  ninetieth 
year." 

Hamer.  James  was  in  Campbell's  regiment.  See 
Historical  Collections,  Joseph  Habersham  Chapter,  D.  A. 
R. 

One  John*  Hamer  voted  against  the  state  of  Frank- 
lin. 

Hamilton.  Alexander*  was  pensioned  in  Augusta 
county,  Virginia,  1833. 

John  was  one  of  the  200  raised  by  Arthur  Campbell. 
When  Summers  county  was  formed  in  1787,  the  first 
court  met  in  his  house.  David  Shelby  was  clerk  and  John 
Hardin  sheriff.  He  and  Alexander  were  brothers  or 
otherwise  near  of  kin.  Both  are  of  the  Archibald  Hamil- 
ton family  of  Augusta. 

Robert  was  a  soldier  under  William  Campbell  and 
received  a  bounty  warrant. 

Hammond.  Charles  was  born  in  Richmond  county, 
Virginia,  1716,  and  died  in  Edgeville  district,  South  Caro- 
lina, 1794.  He  was  present  at  King's  Mountain  under 
Captain  Candler.  His  wife  Elizabeth  Steele  died  in  1798. 
Descendants  are  in  Georgia.  His  son  Abner  (1750-1810) 
was  a  lieutenant  in  South  Carolina,  and  descendants  hold 
that  he  too  was  in  the  battle.    Lineage  Book  31,  D.  A.  R. 

Samuel  was  born  in  Richmond  county,  Virginia  1737 


182  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

and  died  in  South  Carolina  in  1842.  Colonel  Hammond 
was  in  the  battles  of  Point  Pleasant,  Great  Bridge,  Cedar 
Spring,  Musgrove's  mill,  Stono,  King's  Mountain,  Black- 
stock,  Augusta,  Ninety-Six,  and  Eutaw,  being  wounded 
in  the  last  engagement. 

Hampton.  Andrew  was  born  in  England,  but  in 
1751  was  living  in  Rutherford  county,  North  Carolina. 
He  was  a  captain  in  1776  and  colonel  in  1779.  He  fought 
the  tories  who  were  overrunning  his  part  of  the  state  and 
was  present  at  King's  Mountain  and  Blackstocks.  He 
died  in  1805.     There  are  many  descendants. 

Edward  was  a  brother  and  a  captain.  He  also  saw 
service  prior  to  King's  Mountain. 

Jonathan  was  with  the  Rutherford  troops. 

Handly.  Captain  Samuel  and  his  brother  Robert 
were  in  the  Point  Pleasant  expedition  of  1774.  Samuel 
was  at  King's  Mountain  under  Sevier  and  is  mentioned  by 
Draper.  As  a  captain  he  was  with  Sevier  at  Boyd's  Creek 
mentioned  by  Ramsay  as  the  best  fought  battle  in  the 
Indian  wars  of  Tennessee.  It  took  place  in  December, 
1780.  In  the  state  of  Franklin  he  sided  with  Tipton,  but 
when  Pemberton  reenforced  Tipton  with  thirty  men  from 
Sullivan  and  captured  John  Cowan,  Handly  made  Tipton 
release  Cowan.  In  1793  his  company  of  42  men  was  at- 
tacked near  Craborchard  while  defending  the  stations  on 
the  Cumberland.  The  Indians,  56  strong,  mostly  Chero- 
kees,  and  led  by  Middle  Striker,  effected  a  surprise  and 
created  a  panic.  A  man  named  Lieper  was  unhorsed  near 
the  Indian  line.  Handly  at  once  seized  the  horse  and  led 
it  near  him,  so  that  Lieper  might  mount  again,  but  his 
own  horse  was  shot  from  under  him  and  he  took  a  tree, 
where  he  was  met  by  an  Indian  with  uplifted  tomahawk. 
He  caught  the  foeman's  arm  and  uttered  an  Indian  word 
meaning  friendship,  which  the  brave  reciprocated  and 
led  him  to  the  chief,  where  for  a  time  he  was  free  from 
danger.  While  this  was  being  done,  every  Indian  near 
enough  struck  him  with  the  flat  side  of  his  tomahawk. 
This  diversion  was  in  favor  of  the  panic-stricken  men, 
only  Lieper  and  two  others  being  killed.  Captain  Mc- 
Clelland, then  where  Kingston  now  is,  set  out  with  a  re- 
lief party  to  bury  Handly,  who  was  thought  to  be  killed. 
He  found  the  tree  where  the  prisoner  had  been  tied  and 
fragments  of  the  paper  containing  the  roll  of  the  com- 
pany, this  having  been  torn  in  pieces  by  Handly.  The 
captain  was  taken  to  Will  Town,  where  his  fate  was  in 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  183 

suspense  three  days.  He  was  made  to  run  the  gauntlet. 
His  feet  and  hands  were  made  fast  and  the  Indians  threw 
him  over  their  heads  to  see  what  the  effect  would  be 
on  his  nose.  But  his  life  was  spared  and  he  was  adopt- 
ed into  the  Wolf  clan  of  the  Cherokees.  His  captors 
wanted  peace  and  allowed  him  to  write  the  following  let- 
ter to  his  brother-in-law,  Colonel  James  Scott : 

Will  Town,  Dec.  10,  1792. 

Dear  Sir : — I  am  a  captive  in  this  town  in  great  dis- 
tress, and  the  bearer  hereof  is  a  runner  from  the  Upper 
Towns,  from  the  Hanging  Maw,  and  is  now  going  with 
a  talk  from  Colonel  John  Watts,  with  the  Governor,  on 
the  terms  of  peace.    These  people  are  much  for  peace.  .  . 

Dear  sir,  I  have  been  much  abused  and  am  in  great 
distress.  I  beg  for  you  and  John  Cowen,  and  every  good 
friend  would  go  to  the  Governor  and  try  all  you  can  to 
get  him  to  send  a  good  answer  so  I  may  get  away,  for  if 
an  army  come  before,  I  am  sure  to  die.  Send  word  to  my 
wife,  and  send  me  a  horse  down  by  the  Hanging  Maw's 
runner,  for  I  am  not  able  to  come  without.  Dear  friend, 
do  what  you  can,  for  I  am  in  a  distressed  way.  No  more 
but— 

Samuel  Handly 

To  James  Scott,  Nine  Mile,  Henry's  Station. 

Governor  Blount  was  more  than  willing  to  rescue 
Handly,  so  his  answer  was  favorable  to  peace.  Eight  of 
the  braves  escorted  Handly  to  his  home  in  Blount,  the 
only  ransom  asked  being  a  keg  of  whiskey.  Handly  was 
about  forty  at  the  time  and  his  hair  brown,  but  when  he 
returned  his  hair  was  gray  and  he  was  much  broken.  He 
resided  for  some  time  near  the  Tellico  blockhouse,  where 
the  Indians  came  to  trade.  When  a  native  from  Will 
Town  came  across  the  river  he  would  cry,  "canawla,  can- 
awla  (peace,  peace)",  and  then  spend  days  with  their 
white  brother  of  the  Wolf  clan.  Handly  finally  settled 
at  Winchester,  Tennessee,  where  he  located  a  land  grant, 
and  died  there  in  1840.  He  married  a  Miss  Cowan  of  a 
prominent  East  Tennessee  family.  His  son  Samuel,  while 
living  at  Pontotoc,  Mississippi  in  1842,  was  interviewed 
by  Draper  on  what  he  remembered  his  father  having  said 
about  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  The  inscription  on 
Handly's  grave  reads  as  follows : 

Samuel  Handly  born  1748;  died  Aug.  4  1840 
He  was  a  Revolutionary  Soldier  and  a  member 


184  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Of  the  first  Convention  that  formed  the  State  of 

Tennessee 

Born  in  North  Carolina ;  Died  in  Winchester, 

Tennessee 

He  was  a  Captain  in  the  Indian  war. 

Hanna.  Robert  (1744-1821)  served  in  many  skir- 
mishes and  was  a  private  at  King's  Mountain.  His  wife 
was  Mary  Parks.  The  battle  of  Cowpens  was  fought  on 
the  plantation  of  his  son  Joseph,  who  married  Sarah 
Adair. 

Hannah.  Captain  Robbin  of  South  Carolina  lived  on 
Hannah  Hill  on  the  road  to  Musgrove's  mill. 

Hanslev.  Robert  was  in  the  North  Carolina  militia. 
He  was  pensioned  in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  in  1834. 
A  William  in  the  Albemarle  militia  was  not  at  King's 
Mountain. 

Hardeman.  Thomas  was  with  Captain  William 
Been  at  King's  Mountain,  and  also  at  the  capture  of  Isam 
Yearly  and  other  tories.  After  the  war  he  moved  to 
Davidson  county,  which  he  represented  in  the  first  state 
convention. 

Hardin.  Abraham  was  at  Musgrove's  mill,  King's 
Mountain,  Whetzell's  mill,  and  Guilford,  according  to 
Draper. 

Colonel  Joseph  and  his  sons  Joseph,  Jr.  and  John 
were  at  King's  Mountain,  according  to  a  family  tradition 
discussed  by  Dr.  George  F.  Mellen. 

Harkleroad.  Henry  is  listed  by  Summers.  He  seems 
to  have  been  the  only  Revolutionary  soldier  of  that  name. 

Harlison.  There  is  a  tradition  that  Herdon  was  at 
King's  Mountain.  He  was  living  in  Brownsville,  Tennes- 
see in  1840.    See  Draper. 

Harrell.  Reuben  was  under  William  Campbell,  and 
was  pensioned  in  Washington  county,  1835. 

John*,  Joseph*,  and  Kidder*  were  pensioned  by 
North  Carolina. 

Harris.  James  was  born  in  North  Carolina  1736  and 
died  in  Spartanburg,  South  Carolina,  1804.  He  was  at 
King's  Mountain  under  Sevier.  He  married  Priscilla  Gil- 
liam.   A  son  born  1788  married  Elizabeth  Golightly. 

Harrison.     Gideon  served  under  Sevier. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  185 

Hawthorne.  James  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1750. 
His  parents  located  on  the  South  Carolina  frontier  and 
were  much  molested  by  the  natives.  In  1762  the  mother 
and  two  daughters  were  killed  and  the  son  carried  into 
captivity.  After  his  release  he  learned  blacksmithing  in 
York  county,  and  there  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Col- 
onel Thomas  Neel.  He  served  under  Neel  in  the  Snow 
campaign  of  1775,  and  was  in  Williamson's  expedition  of 
1776.  In  the  Florida  campaign  of  1778  he  was  made 
captain,  and  afterward  was  in  several  of  Sumter's  bat- 
tles. Colonel  Hill,  so  active  in  planning  the  King's  Moun- 
tain expedition,  could  not  lead  his  troops  on  account  of 
a  serious  wound,  and  Hawthorne,  now  a  lieutenant  col- 
onel, took  his  place.  Afterward,  he  was  again  with 
Sumter  at  Blackstocks  and  Fishdam  Ford.  He  was  twice 
wounded.  After  the  war  he  moved  to  Kentucky,  settling 
in  Livingston  county,  where  he  died  in  1809.  There  are 
many  descendants. 

Hayes.  Joseph  of  Laurens  county,  South  Carolina, 
was  first  a  captain,  and  served  under  Colonel  Williams  at 
Brier  Creek,  Stono,  and  other  engagements  with  the 
British  and  Cherokees,  succeeding  Williams  after  the  lat- 
ter was  mortally  wounded  at  King's  Mountain.  He  was 
also  present  at  Blackstocks,  Hammond's  store,  and  Cow- 
pens.  November  19,  1781,  he  was  besieged  at  Hayes 
Station  by  the  infamous  tory,  Bloody  Bill  Cunningham. 
Among  his  thirteen  comrades  were  two  sons  of  Colonel 
Williams,  Captain  Daniel  and  Joseph,  the  former  eigh- 
teen, the  latter  fourteen.  The  buildings  were  fired,  the 
little  garrison  surrendering  on  the  assurance  of  being 
treated  as  prisoners  of  war.  But  Cunningham  was  desti- 
tute of  honor  and  hanged  them  all.  When  he  was  about 
to  hang  Colonel  Hayes  and  Captain  Williams  on  the  pole 
of  a  fodder  stack,  Joseph  cried  out  in  anguish,  "Oh, 
brother  Daniel,  what  will  I  tell  mother?"  "You  will  tell 
her  nothing,  you  damned  rebel  suckling,"  answered  Cun- 
ningham as  he  hewed  him  down.  The  pole  above  the  two 
men  breaking,  the  fiend  finished  the  victims  with  his 
sword. 

Hayter.  Israel  was  in  William  Campbell's  regiment, 
and  said  the  following  of  his  commander:  "He  from  the 
commencement  of  the  battle  until  near  the  close,  when 
he  was  wounded  and  the  enemy  had  hoisted  a  white  flag, 
he  saw  Colonel  Campbell  constantly  the  whole  time  en- 
couraging his  men  and  leading  them  up  the  mountain. 
His  regiment  twice  gave  way  and  retreated  some  dis- 


186  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

tance,  and  he  rallied  them  each  time  in  the  most  gallant 
manner." 

Helm.  John  was  in  the  Lincoln  militia,  was  pen- 
sioned in  Lincoln  in  1833,  and  it  is  a  family  tradition 
that  he  was  in  the  battle. 

Meredith*  Helm  was  one  of  the  justices  of  Freder- 
ick county,  Virginia,  on  its  organization  in  1743.  See 
Cartmell  for  a  genealogy. 

Helton.  Abraham,  of  the  North  Carolina  militia, 
moved  to  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  soon  after  the  war, 
and  was  pensioned  in  1833,  when  eighty  years  old.  He 
was  in  other  fights  also. 

Hemphill.  Charles  was  from  Washington  county. 
Virginia. 

Thomas  was  a  captain  in  the  battle.  Just  before  the 
engagement,  Colonel  McDowell  wanted  the  Hemphills 
to  corral  cattle  for  the  whigs,  but  not  liking  the  method 
suggested  they  would  not  comply.  In  the  diary  of  Lieu- 
tenant Allaire  is  this  entry :  "Got  in  motion  at  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning  and  marched  eleven  miles  to  a  rebel  Dr. 
Hemphill's  plantation  and  halted." 

Henderson.  John  is  listed  by  Summers  in  the  militia 
of  Washington  county,  Virginia. 

In  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  in  1783  were  also  Dan- 
iel*, Joseph*,  and  Robert*,  with  Virginia  bounty  war- 
rant and  William*  located  land  here.  The  Hendersons 
were  prominent  in  early  Tennessee  history,  there  being 
the  brothers,  Richard,  Nathaniel,  and  Pleasant,  Andrew, 
a  first  justice  of  Jefferson,  and  Thomas,  who  represented 
Spencer  in  the  state  of  Franklin. 

Hendrick.     David  was  in  Shelby's  regiment. 
Moses  was  under  Campbell,  and  was  pensioned  in 
Logan  county,  Kentucky,  1833,  when  seventy  years  old. 

Henniger.  Henry,  Jacob,  and  John  were  under 
Campbell.  Jacob  was  an  ensign  and  Henry  was  killed. 
Conrad,  perhaps  their  father,  was  on  the  Middle  Fork 
of  Holston  in  Fincastle  in  1774. 

Henry.  Henry,  James,  and  Moses  were  brothers  liv- 
ing in  Gaston  county,  North  Carolina.  James  captured  a 
fine  horse  from  a  British  officer,  but  his  mother  would  not 
let  him  keep  it,  because  it  had  belonged  to  a  tory.  Moses, 
who  soon  died  of  his  wounds  at  Charlotte,  left  descen- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  187 

dants,  Colonel  Moses  Henry  Hand    of    Gaston    being    a 
grandson. 

John,  Henry,  and  Robert  were  in  the  Virginia  troops. 
John  was  pensioned  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  in 
1833,  when  seventy  years  old. 

In  the  Habersham  Historical  Collections  is  a  letter 
from  Robert  C.  Gilliam  to  Dr.  J.  H.  Logan.  It  was  writ- 
ten from  Asheville,  North.  Carolina,  September  29,  1858, 
and  thus  reads:  "I  have  called  to  see  Mr.  Robert  Henry 
at  your  request,  and  have  taken  down  what  he  said  about 
the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  He  says  that  he  was  thir- 
teen years  of  age,  and  joined  in  with  the  over-mountain 
men  under  Colonel  Chronicle  with  twenty  other  recruits 
at  Probert's  place  on  Broad  River.  He  went  into  action 
with  and  was  standing  very  near  Colonel  Chronicle  when 
he  was  shot.  They  surrounded  Ferguson  and  charged  up 
the  mountain.  Early  in  the  engagement  he  was  run 
through  his  hand  and  hip,  by  a  British  bayonet,  and  he 
tumbled  over  a  log  and  lay  still,  until  all  was  over.  They 
charged  over  him  two  or  three  times  in  the  attacks  and 
retreats  of  the  regulars,  but  he  kept  dark  until  he  was  re- 
lieved by  a  friend  who  pulled  out  the  bayonet  and  let  him 
up.  He  had  shot  the  British  soldier  who  had  transfixed 
him,  but  was  not  able  to  free  himself  from  the  bayonet." 
Draper  says  Robert  Henry  was  born  in  a  rail-pen  in 
Roane  county,  January  10,  1765.  In  1795  he  helped  to 
run  the  line  between  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  He 
practiced  law  many  years  in  Buncombe  county,  and  died 
in  Clay,  January  6,  1863,  being  undoubtedly  the  last  of 
the  heroes  of  King's  Mountain.  He  was  a  clear  and  for- 
cible speaker. 

Samuel,  of  Augusta  county,  moved  to  Henry's  Sta- 
tion on  the  French  Broad.  Here  the  Dumplin  Creek 
treaty  with  the  Indians  took  place.  Samuel  was  one  of 
the  commissioners  to  select  a  county  seat  for  Blount. 
Many  descendants  are  in  and  about  Maryville. 

Hensley.    Samuel  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Hereden.  It  is  a  tradition  that  James  and  his  brother 
Edward  were  in  Arthur  Campbell's  troop  of  200.  James 
was  pensioned  in  Warren  county,  Tennessee,  1834,  when 
seventy-four  years  old. 

Hickman.  James  was  a  Virginia  captain,  married 
Elizabeth  Bryan,  and  died  in  Kentucky  in  1828. 

James  was  a  private  under  Shelby,  and  was  pen- 


188  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

sioned  in  Shelby  county,  1833,  when  seventy-two.  Line- 
age Book  9,  D.  A.  R. 

Joel,  also  under  Shelby,  was  pensioned  in  Clay 
county,  Kentucky,  where  he  died  in  1833,  aged  seventy- 
two. 

Thomas  was  one  of  William  Campbell's  men. 

Hider  (Hyder).  Michael  lived  on  Powder  Branch, 
and  signed  the  Halifax  petition  of  1776.  He  was  under 
Sevier  at  King's  Mountain.  A  direct  descendant  is  Sena- 
tor R.  E.  Patton,  of  Knox  county. 

Higgenbottam.    Robert  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Higgens.  John  was  under  Shelby.  See  Draper 
manuscripts. 

Hill.  James  was  from  Lincoln  and  was  there  pen- 
sioned for  service  under  Cleveland. 

James  of  North  Carolina  died  in  Blount  county,  Ten- 
nessee where  he  was  pensioned  in  1834,  when  seventy- 
four  years  old. 

Colonel  William  was  not  in  the  battle  because  of  a 
wound,  but  did  good  service  in  aiding  the  expedition.  He 
was  again  wounded  at  Blackstock.  He  moved  from  South 
Carolina  to  Livingston  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  died 
1809,  aged  fifty-nine.    There  are  many  descendants. 

Hillian.  James  is  listed  by  Summers.  Eckenrode 
mentions  John,  who  was  pensioned. 

Hobbs.  Thomas  is  listed  by  Summers.  He  was  after- 
ward wounded  in  service  against  the  Cherokees. 

Hollingsworth.  Benjamin  was  a  South  Carolina  man 
under  Williams.    Lineage  Book  6,  D.  A.  R. 

Hollis.  Captain  John  was  in  Colonel  Lacy's  South 
Carolina  men.    Lineage  Book  15,  D.  A.  R. 

Holloway.  Charles  of  South  Carolina  was  under 
Lacy.  He  was  a  great  friend  of  Joel  Culbertson.  Draper 
mentions  his  prior  service. 

Hood.  John,  a  Virginia  soldier,  died  in  Roane  coun- 
ty, Tennessee,  and  was  buried  on  Wolf  Creek. 

Hortenstine.  Abraham  is  listed  by  Summers.  (Edi- 
tor's note :  He  was  perhaps  the  same  as  Abraham  Hem- 
penstall  or  Haptonstall). 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  189 

Morton.  Daniel*,  Henry*'  and  Joshua*  were  early 
Watauga  settlers.  In  1766  Colonel  James  Smith  set  out 
to  explore  the  lands  toward  the  Ohio.  From  the  Hol- 
ston  he  traveled  with  Joshua  Horton,  Uriah  Stone,  and 
William  Baker,  all  from  Pennsylvania,  and  a  slave  be- 
longing to  Horlon.  At  the  Cumberland  they  halted  and 
returned  to  the  Watauga,  where  Smith,  Horton,  and  the 
negro  again  entered  the  wilderness.  The  residence  of 
Joshua,  near  Watauga  Springs,  was  known  as  Green  Hill. 
His  sons  Joshua  and  Richard  are  supposed  to  have  been 
with  Sevier.  I  have  many  letters  inquiring  for  the  Revo- 
lutionary record  of  Joshua,  Daniel,  Henry,  and  Richard. 

Henry  was  a  Watauga  sharpshooter.  See  Lineage 
Book  6,  D.  A.  R. 

John,  a  North  Carolina  man,  was  pensioned  in 
Greene  county,  Tennessee,  in  1833. 

Daniel,  whose  service  is  mentioned  by  Carruther  had 
a  father  and  six  brothers  on  the  tory  side. 

Zephaniah*  of  North  Carolina  was  pensioned,  but 
his  application  does  not  say  whether  he  was  in  the  bat- 
tle. 

Houghton.  Thomas,  an  early  justice  of  Washington, 
was  under  Sevier. 

Houston.  James  and  John,  both  ensigns,  are  listed 
by  Summers.  James  in  1783  was  a  justice  of  Green  coun- 
ty. William  was  pensioned  in  Greene  in  1833.  In  1784 
there  was  a  Houston  Station  on  the  Little  Tennessee. 

Howard.  William  was  under  Campbell.  He  may 
have  been  a  son  of  John,  a  magistrate  of  Botetourt  in 
1770. 

Hubbard.  James  was  a  private  under  Sevier,  but 
was  a  captain  in  the  Boyd  Creek  battle.  In  1782  he  and 
Jonathan  Tipton  were  made  majors  and  marched  with 
Sevier  against  a  band  of  Cherokees  and  Creeks  under 
Tassels.  At  Citico  John  Watts  and  Hanging  Maw  held  a 
peace  talk,  but  the  truce  was  disturbed  by  Hubbard. 
While  he  and  a  companion  were  shooting  at  a  mark,  Hub- 
bard hit  an  Indian,  intentionally,  as  it  was  charged,  and 
the  companion  of  the  Indian  fleeing  to  his  tribe,  another 
uprising  was  the  result.  Hubbard  was  one  of  the  first 
justices  of  Jefferson  in  1782.  All  his  family  except  him- 
self having  been  killed  by  the  Shawnees,  he  became  a 
sworn  enemy  of  all  Indians,  and  was  said  to  have  slain 
more  than  any  other  man  of  his  time.     He  owned  Hub- 


190  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

bard  Island  in  French  Broad,  where  many  persons  went 
to  find  pearls. 

Hudson.  John  was  under  Shelby,  and  was  pension- 
ed in  Sullivan  county  in  1833  when  eighty-four  years  old. 

Hufacre.  George  was  with  Shelby.  He  is  often  men- 
tioned in  the  Washington  county  records  of  1777-80. 
When  seventy-seven  years  old,  he  was  pensioned  in  Knox 
county,  where  descendants  are  still  found. 

Hughes.  Joseph  was  a  lieutenant  under  Colonel 
John  Brandon,  of  South  Carolina,  and  fought  at  Mus- 
grove's  mill,  King's  Mountain,  Hammond's  store.  Cow- 
pens,  Hanging  Rock,  and  Rocky  Mount.  A  son  said  that 
the  father  of  Joseph  was  murdered  by  tories  when  in 
search  of  his  hogs,  his  body  being  pierced  by  seven  balls. 
Joseph  then  swore  he  would  kill  every  tory  he  met.  He 
was  famous  as  a  rifleman  and  very  quick  on  the  trigger. 
He  was  a  giant  in  size,  very  active  and  strong,  and  fear- 
less to  the  point  of  recklessness.  In  Chester  county  some 
tories  were  besieged  in  a  log  house  in  an  open  field.  When 
the  assailants  were  about  to  withdraw,  Hughes  swore  he 
would  never  leave  a  tory  in  the  house.  He  kindled  a 
torch,  approached  the  house  under  cover  so  far  as  pos- 
sible, then  darted  the  remainder  of  the  distance  exposed 
to  the  fire  of  the  whole  platoon.  He  stooped,  the  balls 
flew  over  his  head,  and  the  next  instant  he  was  under 
the  house  creating  a  blaze.  The  tories  then  surrendered. 
Hughes  was  also  famous  for  his  independence  and  moral 
courage.  In  a  case  before  the  court  of  Chester  it  became 
necessary  to  determine  whether  a  notorious  tory  by  the 

name  of  M was  alive  or  dead,  and  if  dead  at 

what  time  he  died.  Hughes  fearlessly  acknowledged  that 
he  had  shot  the  marauder  himself.  With  his  family  and 
Jack  Mabry,  a  son-in-law,  he  at  length  removed  to  Ala- 
bama. Meanwhile  he  had  become  a  Presbyterian  elder 
and  given  up  profanity.  In  passing  through  the  Indian 
country  he  came  upon  a  tory  refugee  by  the  name  of 
Radcliff.  Hughes  eyed  him  closely  and  then  exclaimed : 
"I  know  you,  sir.  You  are  a  scamp  of  a  tory.  I  ran  you 
from  Chester  district,  and  nothing  but  an  accident  saved 
your  life.  I  have  a  good  mind  to  make  away  with  you 
now.  Hop  about  now,  or  I'll  do  it  yet."  Mabry  was 
alarmed.  Indians  and  negroes  devoted  to  the  refugee 
were  standing  about,  and  Radcliff  himself  was  no  mean 
antagonist.  But  the  ex-tory  was  thoroughly  cowed  and 
was  annoyingly  obsequious.     Mabry  could  not  sleep  that 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  191 

night,  but  the  colonel  was  soon  snoring  as  though  noth- 
ing had  happened.  Hughes  lived  to  old  age,  but  to  the 
last  was  able  to  bring  down  a  buck  in  the  wilds  of  his 
adopted  state.  The  worst  thing  ever  said  of  him  was  his 
firing  at  a  woman.  She  was  a  tory  and  had  done  much 
mischief  in  informing  the  royalists  of  the  hiding  places 
of  the  whigs.  The  ball  struck  a  sapling  and  thus  the  wo- 
man escaped.  At  Cowpens  he  became  separated  from  his 
troops  and  was  attacked  by  two  dragoons.  He  ducked  to 
save  his  head  from  a  sword  cut,  and  with  his  rifle  warded 
off  a  stroke  by  the  other  Briton.  A  comrade  ran  to  the 
assistance  of  Hughes  and  shot  one  of  the  dragoons.  Hugh- 
es then  clubbed  his  rifle  and  dispatched  the  other. 

David,  Francis,  and  Thomas  were  early  Watauga 
settlers  and  were  with  Sevier  at  King's  Mountain.  David 
was  pensioned  in  Sullivan  in  1833,  when  eighty-two  years 
old.  Francis  was  pensioned  in  Greene  the  same  year  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five. 

Hunter.  Thomas  was  in  the  battle  from  Gaston 
county.  He  migrated  to  Blount  county  and  built  Hun- 
ter's Station  near  where  Maryville  now  stands.  He  was 
pensioned  in  Blount  in  1833  when  eighty-one  years  old. 
It  is  supposed  he  was  a  near  relative  of  the  Rev.  Humph- 
rey Hunter  of  Gaston,  who  was  in  many  a  contest  with 
the  tories. 

Hyce.  Leonard  of  Campbell's  regiment  was  wound- 
ed. There  was  a  George  on  the  Middle  Fork  of  Holston 
m  Washington  county,  Virginia. 

Hyden.  William  was  from  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  pensioned  in  Roane  county,  Tennessee  in 
1833  when  eighty-four. 

ingle.  John  and  Michael  of  Washington  county, 
Virginia,  settled  in  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  where 
they  were  pensioned  in  1833,  Michael  being  seventy- 
eight  and  John  seventy-six.     John  died  May  13,  1824. 

Ingram.  Jeremiah  of  the  Virginia  militia  settled  in 
Adair  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  pensioned  in  1833 
at  the  age  of  seventy-six. 

Inman.  Abednego  was  under  Sevier.  He  carried 
scars  received  at  King's  Mountain  and  in  skirmishes  with 
the  Indians.  He  settled  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee, 
where  he  located  a  landgrant  and  died  in  1831  aged 
seventy-nine.     His  wife  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Alexan- 


192  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

der  Ritchie.  His  son,  William  Hardin  married  Eleanor 
Wilson,  and  another  son,  James  Wilson,  married  Annie 
Lea. 

Captain  Shadrach  Inman  is  erroniously  said  to  have 
been  at  King's  Mountain.  He  was  killed  at  Musgrove's 
mill,  two  months  earlier. 

Ireland.  Hans  was  under  Shelby.  See  Draper  manu- 
scripts. 

Isaac.  Samuel  (1759-1845)  was  born  in  Frederick 
county,  Virginia  and  died  in  Lincoln  county,  Tennessee. 
He  had  service  under  General  Marion.  He  was  pension- 
ed in  Lincoln  in  1832.  His  wife  was  Mary  Wallace,  and 
a  daughter  married  Captain  Jacob  Van  Zandt. 

Isbell.  James,  Francis,  Livingston,  Thomas,  and 
William  were  brothers,  and  are  said  to  have  been  in  the 
same  company  at  King's  Mountain. 

Zachary,  an  early  Watauga  settler,  was  in  the  bat- 
tle. He  was  one  of  thirteen  commissioners  elected  by 
the  convention  of  1772  to  formulate  laws.  The  others 
were  William  Been,  Jacob  Brown,  John  Carter,  John 
Jones,  Robert  Lucas,  Jacob  Nomack,  Charles  Robertson, 
James  Robertson,  George  Russell,  John  Sevier,  James 
Smith  and  William  Tatham.  All  were  present  at  King's 
Mountain.  Zachary  Isbell  was  a  justice  of  Washington 
in  1778  and  a  signer  of  the  Halifax  petition. 

Godfrey  was  under  Sevier.  At  a  militia  meeting  of 
March  19,  1780  there  were  present  Colonel  John  Sevier, 
Major  Jonathan  Tipton,  Captains  Godfrey  Isbell,  John 
McNabb,  James  Stinson,  William  Trimble,  and  Joseph 
Wilson,  and  Lieutenant  Landon  Carter,  acting  in  the  ab- 
sence of  Captain  Valentine  Sevier.  It  was  ordered  that 
100  men  be  raised  agreeable  to  the  command  of  General 
Rutherford,  to  serve  in  South  Carolina.  These  men  were 
at  Musgrove's  mill  as  well  as  King's  Mountain. 

Henry,*  pensioned  in  Kentucky  as  a  Virginia  mili- 
tiaman, went  to  Kentucky  in  1818  when  seventy-eight. 
He  is  not  claimed  as  a  King's  Mountain  man. 

Jack.  James  was  a  private  under  Shelby,  and  was 
pensioned  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  in  1833  when 
seventy-seven. 

Jeremiah,  a  Watauga  settler,  was  under  Sevier  at 
King's  Mountain  and  Boyd's  Creek.  He  was  present  at 
the  siege  of  Watauga  in  1776.    In  the  early  settlement  of 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  193 

Nollichucky,  corn  became  very  scarce.  Jack  and  William 
Rankin  went  in  a  canoe  down  the  Holston  to  the  present 
vicinity  of  Knoxville  to  see  if  they  might  not  trade  clothes 
for  corn.  The  Indians  at  first  refused  and  intended  harm, 
but  through  the  influence  of  Nancy  Ward  an  exchange 
was  effected.  On  the  return  they  camped  one  night  a 
mile  above  the  mouth  of  French  Broad.  Jack  was  so  well 
pleased  that  he  settled  here  in  1787.  He  was  conspicu- 
ous in  the  history  of  Franklin  and  early  Tennessee,  and 
was  a  justice  of  Knox  in  1792. 

Captain  James  Jack,  who  carried  the  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  to  Salisbury  and  Philadelphia,  is  said  to  have 
been  at  King's  Mountain  under  McDowell. 

Patrick*  was  one  of  the  three  men  who  escaied  in 
the  Fort  Loudoun  massacre.  In  the  records  of  Knox  is 
a  grant  to  him  signed  by  Governor  Dobbs  of  North  Caro- 
lina. It  is  dated  1764  and  is  for  fifteen  square  miles 
south  of  the  Tennessee  River,  the  consideration  being 
four  hundred  pounds.  Patrick  was  in  the  Revolution, 
but  I  fail  to  find  his  record,  and  it  is  not  certain  whether 
he  was  at  King's  Mountain.  His  son,  John  Finly  Jack, 
was  a  prominent  lawyer  of  East  Tennessee,  and  at  Rut- 
ledge  was  a  partner  of  General  John,  son  of  General 
William  Cocke.  Jacksboro  is  named  for  him.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Cocke.  Mrs.  Car- 
riger  and  Mrs.  Rhoton  of  Morristown  were  two  of  his 
eight  children.     See  Hunter's  Sketches. 

Jackson.  William  was  a  captain  under  Cleveland. 
A  William  of  the  North  Carolina  line  was  pensioned  in 
Franklin  county,  Tennessee,  in  1833.  A  William  was 
pensioned  in  Blount  in  1833  for  service  in  the  Virginia 
militia.     He  was  then  eighty-seven. 

Jamison.  John  was  a  lieutenant  from  Washington 
county,  Virginia. 

Samuel  and  Thomas  were  privates  under  their  bro- 
ther, the  above  John. 

One  Robert  was  pensioned  in  1835  and  went  to  Mis- 
souri. 

Jarnigan  (Jernigan).  Thomas  and  William  were 
under  Shelby,  and  were  pensioned  in  Jefferson.  The 
Jarnigans  of  Tate  Springs  are  descendants.  Thomas  mar- 
ried Margaret  Evans. 

George,  a  lieutenant  of  North  Carolina,  is  thought 
to  have  been  present  under  Johnston.  He  was  pension- 
ed by  North  Carolina  in  1844. 


194  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Jefferies.  John  was  under  Johnston  and  was  pen- 
sioned. 

Nathaniel,  born  in  Virginia  1735,  died  in  Kentucky 
1812,  served  with  Brandon's  South  Carolina  men  at 
Hanging  Rock,  Musgrove's  mill,  and  King's  Mountain. 
He  married  Sarah  Brownsteen  and  their  son  John  Ran- 
dolph married  Sarah  Barnett. 

Jean,  Philip,  and  Nathan  of  Cleveland's  command 
were  pensioned. 

Jenkins.  Jacob,  living  near  Dandridge,  was  badly 
wounded  by  Indians  in  1793.  He  had  a  bounty  warrant, 
and  it  is  a  tradition  that  he  was  in  the  battle. 

Thomas  and  William  are  listed  by  Summers. 

Jennings.  David  was  under  Shelby.  See  Draper 
manuscripts. 

Johnson.  Barnett  was  also  in  Shelby's  Chickamauga 
campaign  of  1779.     See  Draper  manuscripts. 

James,  a  son  of  Henry  of  Ireland,  was  born  in  Lin- 
coln county  in  1742.  Besides  his  service  at  King's  Moun- 
tain, he  was  in  the  Snow  campaign,  the  siege  of  Ninety- 
Six,  and  various  engagements  with  the  Cherokees  and 
tories.  In  a  hand  to  hand  fight  with  Patrick  Moore,  he 
captured  this  tory  officer,  although  he  received  a  saber 
cut  in  the  hand.  Thus  he  could  not  fire  his  rifle  when 
some  British  rushed  upon  him,  and  Moore  got  away.  At 
King's  Mountain  he  commanded  a  troop  of  ninety  re- 
serves, who  were  called  into  action.  Johnson  died  in 
1805.  His  great  estate  on  the  Catawba  was  known  as 
Oak  Grove.  He  married  before  the  war  Jane,  eldest 
daughter  of  Robert  Ewart.  She  died  in  1795.  They  had 
twelve  children.  Several  of  their  descendants  won  some 
distinction. 

Johnston  (Johnstone).  John  was  born  in  Scotland 
in  1740  and  died  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee,  in  1818, 
his  widow  being  pensioned  there  in  1841.  After  five 
campaigns  under  Captain  Moffett  he  fought  at  King's 
Mountain  and  Hanging  Rock.  His  wife  was  Martha  Al- 
lison. His  son  Alexander  (1791-1822)  married  Eleanor 
Craig.    Descendants  are  in  Wayne  county,  Tennessee. 

Robert,  pensioned  by  North  Carolina  1835,  was  a 
private  in  William  Johnston's  company. 

Captain  William  was  in  the  battle,  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  North  Carolina. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  195 

Jones.  Daniel  of  North  Carolina  was  pensioned  in 
Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  in  1833  when  eighty-seven. 

John,  a  Watauga  rifleman,  was  present  under  Camp- 
bell. He  and  his  brother  Lewis  had  a  large  grant  from 
the  Indians  in  1775. 

Thomas  of  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  was  pen- 
sioned in  1833,  when  seventy-four. 

John  and  Joseph  of  the  North  Carolina  militia  were 
pensioned  in  Giles  county,  Tennessee,  when  the  former 
was  ninety,  the  latter  eighty-two. 

Judd.  When  Colonel  Shelby  made  his  last  appeal, 
immediately  before  the  battle,  he  said  that  if  anyone 
wished  to  stay  back  he  must  go  at  once.  One  man,  John 
Judd,  offered  to  hold  the  horses.  Rowland  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight.  In  1778  the  Judds  were  at  Greasy 
Cove,  where  now  is  the  town  of  Erwin. 

A  Judd  was  one  of  the  officers  at  the  surrender  of 
Fort  Loudoun  to  the  Cherokees  in  1760. 

Karr.  (Carr).  Robert  lived  in  what  is  now  Greene 
county,  North  Carolina.  The  first  session  of  the  county 
court  was  held  in  his  house.  Under  the  state  of  Frank- 
lin, he  was  county  register.  He  fought  at  Point  Pleas- 
ant under  Evan  Shelby  and  at  King's  Mountain  under 
Isaac  Shelby. 

Matthew,  probably  brother  to  Robert,  was  also  at 
King's  Mountain.  In  1792  he  was  living  in  Knox,  and  as 
a  sergeant  commanded  eight  men  at  Ish  Station. 

Keeps.     James  was  a  sergeant  under  Campbell. 

Kendrick.  Benjamin  and  Samuel  were  in  Aaron 
Lewis's  company  of  Campbell's  regiment.  Benjamin  was 
pensioned  in  Kentucky,  1830. 

John  was  another  of  the  tamily.  He  and  John 
Maxwell  were  wounded  by  Indians  in  Davidson  county. 

Solomon  was  with  the  Washington  troops,  and  was 
also  at  Point  Pleasant. 

The  Kendricks  lived  on  the  Holston  near  Abingdon. 

Kennedy.  Daniel  settled  in  Greene  county,  Tennes- 
see, and  was  its  first  clerk.  He  was  conspicuous  in  form- 
ing the  state  of  Franklin,  and  was  one  of  its  two  brigadier 
generals.  A  certified  copy  of  his  services  in  the  expedi- 
tion to  King's  Mountain  is  in  the  minutes  of  the  Masonic 
lodge  at  Greenville.     He  was  steadily  loyal  to  Sevier. 

Thomas     (1756-1836)     was    a    captain    under    Mc- 


196  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Dowel!.  He  was  wounded  at  Ramseur's  mill,  present  at 
Earle's  Ford,  Cane  Creek,  and  King's  Mountain,  serving 
under  General  Rutherford  in  1781.  He  moved  from 
Burke  county,  North  Carolina  to  Garrard  county,  Ken- 
tucky. He  served  in  the  legislatures  of  Virginia  and 
Kentucky,  and  was  in  the  Kentucky  convention  of  1791. 

The  record  of  Moses  is  given  by  Summers  and  Eck- 
enrode. 

William  served  under  Brandon,  near  whom  he  lived. 
He  was  considered  the  best  shot  of  his  section,  was  al- 
ways active  against  the  tories,  and  performed  many 
heroic  deeds  in  the  Revolution.  He  refused  all  opportuni- 
ties for  office,  although  he  had  great  executive  ability, 
was  quick  in  any  emergency,  tall  athletic,  and  very  hand- 
some in  face.  He  was  pensioned  in  Wayne  county,  Ten- 
nessee, in  1833,  when  seventy-four. 

Robert*  was  a  cavalry  officer  in  Washington  coun- 
ty, Virginia. 

Robert  is  mentioned  by  Heitman  as  a  captain  in  the 
North  Carolina  service. 

Kerby.  Henry  was  in  the  North  Carolina  militia, 
moved  to  Jackson,  Tennessee,  about  1783,  and  was  there 
pensioned  in  1833. 

Kerr.  Adam  was  under  Campbell.  In  1777  he  was 
a  commissioner  to  view  a  road  from  Washington  court- 
house to  Phillips'  mill  on  the  Watauga.  James  settled 
very  early  on  the  upper  Holston. 

Joseph,  known  as  the  "crippled  spy,"  was  born  in 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1750,  the  family  mov- 
ing to  North  Carolina  when  he  was  very  young.  Though 
lame  from  infancy,  he  offered  his  services  as  a  spy  to  Col- 
onel McDowell.  His  first  work  as  such  was  at  Blackstock 
ford  on  Tiger  River,  where  the  enemy  were  1500  (150?) 
strong.  Hiding  his  horse  he  entered  the  British  lines  as  a 
beggar,  and  after  learning  all  he  could,  reported  to  Mc- 
Dowell. On  his  information  the  Americans  attacked  and 
won  a  victory.  At  King's  Mountain  he  reported  to  the 
whig  leaders  where  Ferguson  was  located  and  what  his 
strength  was.  Upon  this  information  they  made  a  forc- 
ed march  in  thirty-six  hours,  with  only  one  hour  for  rest, 
reaching  the  mountain  at  three  in  the  afternoon.  In 
South  Carolina  he  was  recognized  and  barely  got  away 
in  time.  After  the  war  he  settled  in  White  county,  Ten- 
nessee, where  he  was  pensioned  in  1833. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  197 

Keys.  James,  a  lieutenant  in  Washington  county, 
Virginia,  served  under  Shelby,  and  was  pensioned  in 
1835. 

Kidd.  John  was  with  the  Lincoln  men  and  was  pen- 
sioned. 

Kincannon.  Andrew,  James,  and  Matthew  of  Wash- 
ington county,  Virginia  served  with  William  Campbell. 
Andrew  was  one  of  the  sureties  of  Arthur  Campbell, 
when  the  latter  was  appointed  sheriff  in  1779.  James 
was  a  road  overseer  in  1774  and  1777.  Matthew  was 
an  ensign  at  King's  Mountain,  and  after  Captain  Dysart 
was  wounded,  Andrew  took  command  becoming  a  full 
captain  in  1782.  He  was  born  on  the  Holston  in  1774  (?) 
was  a  blacksmith  and  gunsmith,  and  is  said  to  have  made 
the  first  horseshoe  in  Kentucky.  He  was  tall  and  large, 
and  of  fine  character  and  intelligence.  After  the  war 
he  settled  on  Tom's  Creek  in  Surry  county,  North  Caro- 
lina, where  he  had  ironworks  and  a  large  plantation.  His 
wife  was  Catharine  McDonald,  and  he  had  nine  children. 
He  died  in  1829. 

Kinkead.  John  was  a  captain  under  Campbell.  In 
1774  he  was  a  sergeant  in  command  of  fifteen  men  at 
Elk  Garden.  The  same  year  he  fought  at  Point  Pleasant. 
He  was  one  the  first  justices  of  Washington,  the  court 
sitting  near  his  home  at  Black's  Fort,  now  Abingdon. 
In  1777  he  was  one  of  a  committee  to  locate  a  road  over 
Clinch  Mountain  to  Halbert  McClure's  and  Robert  and 
James  Logan's.  With  Captain  Callaway  he  located  the 
Wilderness  Road  to  Kentucky,  this  road  passing  through 
Abingdon. 

Kilgore.  Charles  was  a  private  under  Campbell,  and 
was  wounded.  In  the  pension  list  of  Greene  county, 
Tennessee,  in  1820,  he  is  named  as  an  invalid  with  an 
allowance  of  $48  a  year. 

There  was  a  Kilgore  Station  in  the  basin  of  the 
Cumberland. 

King.  Robert  was  under  Campbell.  He  was  con- 
spicuous in  the  early  history  of  Tennessee.  As  a  major 
he  was  sent  by  Governor  Blount  to  invite  the  Cherokees 
to  White's  Station  for  a  treaty.  He  found  the  tribe  di- 
vided into  two  parties,  Hanging  Maw  leading  the  north- 
ern wing  and  Little  Turkey  the  southern.  The  town  of 
Kingston  in  Roane  was  laid  out  on  his  land  in  1799.  He 
lived  on  a  small  cabin  on  the  site  of  the  Exchange  Hotel, 


198  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

and  opened  a  store  as  soon  as  the  town  was  established. 
Kingston  was  the  state  capital  two  days  in  1805,  but 
though  on  a  line  of  much  travel,  the  accommodations 
were  so  poor  that  the  legislature  returned  to  Knoxville. 
A  mile  distant  in  1792  was  a  fort  called  Southwest  Point. 
William  served  under  Shelby,  and  was  pensioned  in 
Sullivan  in  1833,  when  eighty-eight  years  old.  When 
Hawkins  county  was  established  in  1786,  he  was  on  the 
committee  to  choose  a  site  for  the  courthouse,  which  was 
built  of  logs.  The  town  of  Kingsport  was  in  part  named 
in  his  honor. 

Knox.  Robert  was  in  the  militia  of  Lincoln  county, 
North  Carolina,  where  he  was  pensioned  in  1833. 

Benjamin*,  James*,  and  Samuel*  are  on  the  pen- 
sion list  of  North  Carolina,  and  a  Colonel  John  Knox  is 
mentioned  in  Hunter's  Sketches. 

Kusick  (Cusick). ,  serving  under  Sevier,  is 

said  to  have  been  the  man  who  shot  Ferguson. 

There  was  a  John*  Cusick  in  the  militia  of  Washing- 
ton county,  Virginia. 

Kuykendall.     Matthew  was  in  Campbell's  regiment. 

Benjamin*  and  Joseph*  located  grants  in  Summers 
county,  Tennessee,  and  both  were  killed  by  Indians  in 
1792. 

Lacy.  Edward  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1742, 
is  said  to  have  been  present  at  the  Braddock  defeat,  went 
to  Chester  district,  South  Carolina  when  still  quite  young, 
and  bound  himself  out  to  William  Adair  to  learn  brick- 
laying. He  was  a  captain  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revo- 
lution, was  in  the  Cherokee  wars  and  at  the  battles  of 
Hanging  Rock,  Rocky  Mount,  Carey's  Fort,  and  Fishing 
Creek.  At  King's  Mountain  he  led  the  Chester  troops  and 
was  wounded.  He  had  a  large  landgrant  in  Tennessee. 
Colonel  Lacy  was  drowned  in  Kentucky  in  1833,  while 
attempting  to  go  through  the  swollen  waters  of  Dove 
Creek  in  Livingston  county. 

Laird.  David,  James  and  John  were  in  Campbell's 
regiment.  James  and  John  were  killed.  They  are  men- 
tioned by  Summers,  Draper,  and  others. 

Lane.  Isaac  was  in  Russell's  company  of  Sevier's 
regiment. 

Tidence,  born  1764,  was  in  the  North  Carolina  line, 
and   was  pensioned  in  Jefferson  county,   Tennessee,   in 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  199 

1833.  He  seems  to  have  been  one  of  the  eight  sons  of 
Tidence  Lane,  a  Baptist  preacher,  all  of  whom  were  in 
the  Revolution.  The  will  of  Tidence  Sr.,  is  on  record  at 
Dandridge,  Tennessee. 

Aquilla  was  in  the  battle  and  was  pensioned. 

John  was  under  Shelby. 

Lang.     John  was  in  Shelby's  troop. 

Langston.  John  and  Robert  were  South  Carolina 
men  under  Lacy. 

Lankford.  Thomas  was  in  Cloud's  company  of 
Cleveland's  regiment.  He  was  one  of  the  scouts  in  the 
advance  of  the  expedition,  and  the  tories  came  near  cap- 
turing him  when  they  wounded  John  Martin. 

Benjamin  was  a  Virginia  soldier  and  pensioner. 

Large.  Joseph,  one  of  Cleveland's  men,  was  pen- 
sioned in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  1833,  when  sev- 
enty-four. 

Latham.  John  was  in  Russell's  company.  He  was 
living  on  Long  Island  in  1776,  and  in  1779  was  a  justice 
in  Washington  county,  Virginia. 

La  t  man.  Joseph  was  under  Shelby.  See  Draper 
manuscripts. 

Lawson.    William  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Ledbetter.  George  was  a  captain  of  Rutherford 
troops.  He  was  also  at  Blackstock  and  was  a  member  of 
the  North  Carolina  convention  of  1778.  His  son  William 
married  Elizabeth  Welborn  of  North  Carolina. 

Lee.  James  (1748-1810)  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
settled  at  High  Shoals,  North  Carolina,  where  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Lewis.  He  was  at  King's  Mountain  and  Cow- 
pens.    Lineage  Books  17  and  27,  D.  A.  R. 

Leeper.  James  was  a  second  lieutenant  under 
Campbell.  He  moved  to  Davidson  county  in  the  winter 
of  1780-81,  and  was  a  captain  on  the  border.  In  April, 
1781,  he  was  killed  from  ambush.  The  first  marriage 
solemnized  by  James  Robertson  in  the  Cumberland  set- 
tlement was  that  of  James  Leeper. 

A  Samuel*  was  killed  by  Indians  on  Cumberland 
Mountain  when  Captain  Handly  was  captured. 


200  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Lefy.  Shadrach  was  a  Lincoln  county  man  and 
pensioner.     Lineage  Book  9,  D.  A.  R. 

Lenoir.    See  Chapter  XI. 

Leonard.  George  and  Frederick  are  listed  by  Sum- 
mers. 

Henry,  living  on  New  River  in  1756,  was  captured 
at  the  same  time  with  Mrs.  Draper.  The  same  or  an- 
other Henry,  and  Robert*  were  pensioners  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Virginia. 

Lewis.  The  following  Lewises  were  at  King's  Moun- 
tain:  Charles,  James,  Joel,  John  Martin,  Micajah,  and 
William  Terrell,  Jr. 

Major  Micajah  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1755,  moved 
to  Surry  county,  North  Carolina,  was  in  the  battle  of 
Stono,  and  as  one  of  Cleveland's  men  was  wounded  at 
King's  Mountain.  At  Pyle's  defeat  in  1781  he  was  so 
badly  wounded  that  he  died  the  next  day. 

Captain  Joel  was  born  in  Virginia  1760,  also  moved 
to  Surry,  and  led  a  company  at  King's  Mountain.  In  this 
troop  were  twenty-two  of  his  family  connection.  He  mar- 
ried Miriam  Eastham  and  had  eighteen  children.  In  1789 
he  was  a  tavern-keeper  in  Nashville,  where  he  died  in 
1816.    He  held  several  offices. 

James  M.,  a  third  brother,  was  born  1762  and  died 
in  Columbia,  Tennessee  in  1830.  He  was  a  lieutenant 
under  Micajah.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  to  Colonel  Ben- 
jamin Hardin. 

All  three  brothers  were  wounded  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. 

For  record  of  Charles  see  Lineage  Book  9,  D.  A.  R. 

Lindsay.  James  was  captured  by  Ferguson's  for- 
agers the  day  before  the  battle,  but  after  the  fight  began 
he  and  the  Pattersons  escaped  and  joined  the  patriots. 

John  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Linn.  Andrew,  Daniel,  and  William  were  under 
Shelby.    See  Draper  manuscripts. 

William  was  pensioned  in  Maury  county,  Tennes- 
see in  1830,  when  seventy-eight. 

Litton.  Catel  was  under  Shelby.  See  Draper  manu- 
scripts. 

John  is  listed  by  Summers. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  201 

Livingston.     David  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Logan.  Joseph  and  William  were  Lincoln  men  in  the 
company  of  Mattocks,  and  were  close  to  their  captain 
when  he  fell  early  in  the  engagement.  The  Logans  were 
from  Virginia.  William  married  Jane  Black,  was  pen- 
sioned, and  after  the  war  removed  to  York  district,  South 
Carolina,  where  he  died  in  1832,  aged  eighty-three.  There 
are  many  descendants.  His  brother  Joseph  became  a 
Baptist  minister. 

James  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Long.  John,  Richard,  and  William  were  in  the  bat- 
tle. John  and  William  were  under  Shelby.  John  settled 
in  Sullivan  county,  Tennessee.  For  record  of  Richard,  see 
Draper  manuscripts. 

Looney.  For  record  of  John,  Robert,  and  Major 
David  (1738-1800)  see  Lineage  Book  4,  D.  A.  R.  David 
was  wounded  in  the  battle. 

Moses,  a  lieutenant,  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Absalom *,  son  of  Major  David,  married  Nancy  Long 
and  settled  in  Knox  county,  Tennessee. 

Love.  Robert  is  mentioned  by  Hunter.  See  also  Line- 
age Book  12,  D.  A.  R. 

For  Hezekiah  see  Chapter  XL 

Lowery.  John,  a  second  lieutenant,  and  William  are 
listed  by  Summers,  were  pensioned,  and  in  1792  were  liv- 
ing in  Knox  and  Sevier  counties,  Tennessee. 

Loyd.  John  is  listed  by  Summers,  and  was  pensioned 
in  Washington  county,  Virginia. 

Lucas.    Robert  was  on  the  Watauga  in  1772,  and  in 

1778  was  a  justice  of  Washington.  At  King's  Mountain 
he  was  a  captain  under  Sevier. 

Major  Isaac  was  a  brother  to  Robert,  and  in  1781 
moved  to  Davidson  county,  where  he  had  fighting  against 
the  Indians. 

Captain  Joseph,  an  early  Watauga  settler,  was  prob- 
ably in  the  battle.  In  1791  he  was  in  the  Miro  district  de- 
fending the  frontier. 

Lusk.  Captain  Joseph*  was  on  the  Watauga  in 
1776,  and  in  1792  was  in  Summers  county. 

In  1793  Samuel*,  a  scout  in  Robert  Crockett's  com- 
pany, was  captured  by  Indians. 


202  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Lyle.  Henry  was  an  early  settler  on  the  Nollichucky, 
was  with  Sevier  in  his  border  campaigns,  and  was  prob- 
ably at  King's  Mountain. 

Samuel*  was  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee  in  1792. 

Lynn.     David  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Lyon.  Humberson  and  William  were  under  Camp- 
bell. Humberson,  an  ensign,  was  killed.  William  was 
pensioned  in  1833. 

Lytle.  Captain  Thomas  was  in  McDowell's  regi- 
ment, and  is  mentioned  by  Draper. 

Archibald,  Micajah,  and  William  are  mentioned  by 
Heitman. 

McAden.  William  was  in  Shelby's  command.  See 
Draper,  including  Draper  manuscripts. 

McAdoo.  John  was  an  early  settler  on  Watauga, 
and  in  the  Washington  records  of  1778-80  appears  as  an 
exemplary  man  for  the  strenuous  times.  He  was  at  King's 
Mountain  under  Sevier.  His  son,  William  C.  married  in 
1848  for  his  first  wife  Annie  Hornley  of  Columbus,  Geor- 
gia, and  for  his  second,  Mary  Faith  Floyd. 

John  settled  in  Jefferson  county  after  the  war  and 
married  Mary  Gibbs,  daughter  of  a  soldier  in  the  French 
and  Indian  war.  A  grandson  is  William  Gibbs  McAdoo 
of  the  Wilson  cabinet. 

McBee.  Silas  was  born  November  24,  1765,  and 
therefore  was  not  quite  fifteen  when  fighting  at  King's 
Mountain  under  Colonel  Williams.  He  lived  at  Thicketty 
Ford,  South  Carolina,  and  was  there  at  the  time  of  the 
capture  of  Captain  Moore  and  his  men.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  first  legislature  of  Alabama,  but  in  1842  was 
living  in  Pontotoc  county,  Mississippi,  where  he  died  three 
years  later.     Draper  had  several  interviews  with  him. 

McCafferty.  William  was  an  Irish  merchant  near 
Charlotte  who  turned  the  British  army  into  a  wrong  road 
in  order  to  protect  the  whigs  on  their  way  to  King's 
Mountain. 

McCampbell.  John  was  born  in  Augusta  county, 
Virginia,  1742,  and  died  at  Abingdon  in  1808.  He  com- 
manded a  company  of  Washington  county  men,  and  was 
also  at  Musgrove's  mill,  Cowpens,  and  Guilford.  His  wife 
was  Ruth  Edwards.  His  sons  Archibald  and  Walter  mar- 
ried, respectively,  Catharine  Lewis  and  Sarah  Moore. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  203 

McCarthy.  William  was  under  Cleveland  and  was 
pensioned  in  Lincoln  in  1833. 

McCulloch.  Thomas  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Wash- 
ington county  line  and  was  killed. 

McClelland.  Abraham  was  in  the  Virginia  troops 
under  Campbell.  John  was  under  Shelby.  In  1790  he 
was  sent  to  Westpoint  Station  to  keep  the  Indians  from 
molesting  the  Cumberland  settlement. 

McClough.    James  was  with  the  Virginia  troops. 

McChire.  John  was  with  the  Botetourt  militia.  See 
Lineage  Book  2,  D.  A.  R. 

McConnelL  Abram  was  with  the  Virginia  men  un- 
der Campbell.  After  the  war  he  received  a  landgrant 
and  settled  in  Blount  county,  where  he  founded  McCon- 
nell  Station  very  near  the  Houston  settlement. 

McCorkle.  Francis  entered  the  army  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Revolution,  and  was  also  at  Ramseur's  mill 
and  Cowpens.  In  1774  he  was  on  the  committee  of  safe- 
ty for  Rowan  county,  North  Carolina.  His  second  wife 
was  Eliza,  daughter  of  Richard  Branacn.  He  left  a  large 
family. 

McCrory.    Matthew  was  under  Colonel  Williams. 

McCroskey.  John  was  a  private  in  Captain  William 
Beattie's  company.  After  the  surrender  he  went  in 
search  of  Captain  Robert  Edmondson,  told  him  of  the  vic- 
tory, to  which  the  prostrate  officer  nodded  his  satisfac- 
tion and  then  died.  McCroskey  was  pensioned  in  Sevier 
county,  Tennessee,  in  1833,  when  seventy-six  years  old. 

McCulloch.  John,  a  soldier  under  Campbell,  was 
pensioned  in  1833. 

Robert,  a  lieutenant  of  the  Washington  county  men, 
was  wounded. 

McCutchan  (McCutcheon).  John  was  an  Augusta 
man  under  Campbell.  In  1778  he  served  a  three  months 
tour  against  the  Indians,  and  in  1779  was  one  of  Captain 
John  Walkup's  men,  stationed  at  Warm  Springs  to  pro- 
tect that  point.  He  was  pensioned  in  Augusta  county  in 
1835. 

Samuel  was  a  captain  of  Augusta  militia. 

William  was  also  in  the  Augusta  militia,  but  his  first 
service  was  in  the  New  Jersey  line.     He  was  at  the  sur- 


204  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

render  at  Yorktown.     He  was  pensioned  in  Augusta  in 
1835  and  lived  to  be  very  old. 

McDonald.  Magnus  was  in  the  North  Carolina  mil- 
itia. 

McDowell.  Charles  was  born  at  Winchester  (?), 
Virginia,  in  1743,  and  died  at  Morganton,  North  Caro- 
lina in  1811.  He  was  in  Rutherford's  campaign  against 
the  Cherokees.  He  and  his  younger  brother  Joseph  were 
at  Musgrove's  mill  and  King's  Mountain.  He  married 
Grace  Greenlee  Brown.  His  sons  Ethan  Allen  and  Char- 
les Gordon  married,  respectively,  Ann  Gordon  and  Lu- 
cinda  Jones. 

Colonel  Charles  was  conspicuous  in  organizing  the 
expedition  to  King's  Mountain,  but  gave  the  actual  lead 
to  younger  men.  Through  him  many  have  joined  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 

Major  Joseph,  brother  to  the  colonel,  commanded  a 
regiment  at  King's  Mountain.  In  1776,  when  hardly 
grown,  he  fought  under  Charles  against  the  tories.  He 
served  under  Rutherford,  and  was  at  Stono,  Ramseur's 
mill,  Earle's  ford,  Musgrove's  mill,  and  Cowpens.  He 
died  in  1801,  aged  forty-four.  His  wife  was  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Colonel  George  Moffett.  He  left  two  sons 
and  six  daughters. 

Mrs.  Ellen  McDowell  and  her  daughter  Jane  heard 
the  firing  from  their  home  near  King's  Mountain,  and 
spent  several  days  on  the  battlefield  nursing  the  wound- 
ed. 

McElwee.  James  (1752-1820)  was  under  Colonel 
Campbell.  John  and  William  were  in  the  same  regiment. 
See  Lineage  Book  16,  D.  A.  R. ;  also  Habersham  Collec- 
tions, Volume  3. 

James,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  came  to 
Tennessee  about  the  time  Daniel  Boone  visited  the 
Watauga.  He  is  thought  first  to  have  settled  on  the  Nol- 
lichucky,  but  his  military  landgrant  was  four  miles  below 
Knoxville.  He  was  with  Sevier  at  King's  Mountain,  and 
was  the  first  to  reach  Cavett  Station  after  the  massacre 
there  of  thirteen  people.  His  son  William  married  Lu- 
cinda  Eblin,  and  descendants  are  in  Knox  and  Roane. 

McFarland.  Robert  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  battle. 
He  moved  from  North  Carolina  to  Wythe  county,  and 
later  to  Hamblin,  living  until  1837.  He  was  the  first 
sheriff  of  Jefferson,  and  a  colonel  of  militia.     His  first 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  205 

wife  was  a  Barton,  the  second  was  Mary  Ann  Scott.  His 
son  William  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Many  of  his  des- 
cendants are  in  Jefferson  and  Hamblin. 

McFerren.  John,  an  ensign,  came  from  Botetourt, 
and  was  with  the  Washington  county  men.  It  is  claimed 
that  his  brother  Martin  was  also  in  the  battle. 

McHenry.     John  is  listed  by  Summers. 

McJucken.  Joseph  was  born  in  Carlisle,  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1755,  and  died  in  Union  district,  South  Carolina, 
1841.  He  was  also  at  Musgrove's  mill.  His  son  Samuel 
married  Ann  Bogan,  and  their  own  son  Joseph  married 
Annie  Thomas. 

McKee.  The  mother  of  Major  William  Chronicle 
first  married  a  McKee  in  Pennsylvania.  He  died  in  Lin- 
coln county,  North  Carolina.  The  major  was  the  only 
son  by  her  second  marriage ;  James  McKee  was  given  the 
sword  and  spurs  worn  by  the  major  at  King's  Mountain, 
and  they  are  still  in  the  possession  of  descendants. 

McKissick.  Captain  David  was  wounded  at  Ram- 
seur's  mill,  but  it  is  claimed  that  he  was  present  at  King's 
Mountain.  He  represented  Lincoln  in  the  legislature, 
1783-87. 

Thomas  was  in  the  battle  and  was  pensioned  in 
Blount  county,  Tennessee  in  1823. 

McLain.  Alexander  came  from  Ireland  to  North 
Carolina,  where  his  son  William  became  a  physician,  and 
attended  the  wounded  after  the  battle.  He  was  after- 
ward with  the  army  of  General  Greene,  and  served  till 
the  end  of  the  war.  In  1815  he  erected  a  monument  on 
the  battlefield  at  his  own  expense.  He  was  pensioned  in 
Lincoln  in  1833,  and  attained  the  age  of  ninety-six.  Dr. 
McLain  was  buried  in  Bethel  Cemetery,  York  county, 
South  Carolina.  His  brother  John,  born  in  Rowan,  was 
killed  at  Buford's  bridge. 

McMillian.  Alexander  was  born  in  County  Derry, 
Ireland,  came  to  America  in  1775,  and  at  once  entered 
the  American  army.  He  was  at  Quebec,  where  a  finger 
was  frozen  while  on  picket  duty.  In  1778  he  married 
Margaret  McMillian,  his  first  cousin,  and  shortly  after 
the  battle  of  King's  Mountain  they  settled  in  Washing- 
ton county,  but  moved  to  Knox.  Though  sixty-three  years 
old,  he  was  present  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  serv- 


206  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

ing  as  a  volunteer.  He  died  at  McMillen  Station  in  1837 
and  was  buried  near  Calidonia  church  on  the  Philip  Sher- 
rod  farm. 

McMillen.  William  was  with  the  Washington  coun- 
ty men,  and  is  listed  by  Summers.  He  married  Mary 
Leeper  1759,  and  died  1810.  His  eldest  son,  William, 
graduated  from  William  and  Mary  College,  becoming 
first  a  Presbyterian  minister  and  afterward  a  lawyer. 
McMillen  Street  in  Cincinnati  is  named  for  him. 

McNabb.  John  was  an  early  settler  in  Washington 
county,  Tennessee,  and  a  justice  in  1777-80.  He  was  ac- 
tive in  the  border  fighting,  was  a  captain  in  the  Boyd 
Creek  affair,  and  was  with  Sevier  at  King's  Mountain. 
The  first  mill  in  his  neighborhood  was  on  Buffalo  Creek 
on  land  patented  by  himself  and  his  brother  Baptist. 

David  was  also  at  King's  Mountain,  and  was  a  cap- 
tain in  the  fight  shortly  afterward  at  Greasy  Cove.  In 
1793  he  was  a  lieutenant  colonel  under  Sevier  in  his 
Cherokee  campaign. 

McNutt.  George  was  the  first  settler  in  Jefferson, 
but  with  Moses  Brooke  he  relocated  a  few  miles  above 
Knoxville.  He  was  an  elder  of  Lebanon  church  at  the 
mouth  of  the  French  Broad,  and  a  trustee  of  Washing- 
ton College.  For  a  man  of  his  time  he  was  the  owner  of 
many  books,  chiefly  theological.  He  came  from  Rock- 
bridge, and  was  an  uncle  to  Governor  McNutt  of  Mis- 
sissippi. His  daughter,  the  first  white  child  born  below 
the  French  Broad,  married  Colonel  Robert  McFarland. 
George  McNutt  died  1857  (?),  and  was  buried  in  the 
family  cemetery. 

McQueen.     James  was  under  Cleveland. 

McShaney.  For  the  record  of  William  see  Draper 
manuscripts. 

McSpedden.  It  is  claimed  that  William  was  one  of 
Shelby's  men.  He  was  with  Evan  Shelby  in  his  Chicka- 
mauga  expedition. 

Magill.  James  and  John  were  with  the  Virginia 
troops.  James  was  pensioned  in  Monroe  county,  Ten- 
nessee, in  1833,  and  John  in  the  same  year  when  seventy- 
nine  years  old.  The  latter  moved  to  Franklin  county 
with  Samuel  Handly. 

Mahannas.     Tapley  was  from  Lincoln  county,  North 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  207 

Carolina,  and  pensioned  there.     See  Lineage  Book  9,  D. 
A.  R. 

Mahoney.  Michael  was  born  in  the  south  of  Ireland 
and  came  to  America  when  young,  settling  on  the  Nolli- 
chucky.  He  was  in  the  battle  under  Sevier,  and  appears 
to  have  been  one  of  the  killed,  since  John  Black  was  made 
his  administrator,  November  17  following,  the  bond  be- 
ing 10,000  pounds  in  depreciated  currency. 

Main.  Tobias,  an  ensign  in  1777-78,  was  at  King's 
Mountain  under  Campbell. 

Henry  was  one  of  the  foot  soldiers  left  behind,  and 
unable  to  be  present  in  time. 

Manor.  Josiah  was  in  the  North  Carolina  troops, 
and  is  said  to  have  been  in  the  battle,  although  his  pen- 
sion application  is  silent  on  the  matter. 

Thomas  was  one  of  Shelby's  men.  See  Draper  manu- 
scripts. 

Maples.  Marmaduke  was  a  private  under  Chronicle, 
and  was  pensioned  1833. 

Martin.  Salathiel  was  in  the  North  Carolina  troops 
and  died  May  6,  1827.  His  widow  applied  for  pension 
in  Claiborne  county  Tennessee,  in  1845,  when  eighty-one 
years  old.  She  stated  that  Salathiel  was  a  captain  in 
Armstrong's  regiment,  and  was  present  also  at  Guilford, 
serving  eighteen  months  in  all.  His  wife  Mary  mar- 
ried him  in  Surry  county,  North  Carolina,  April  23,  1782. 
Martin  was  very  tall,  of  great  physical  strength,  and  was 
reputed  to  be  an  excellent  officer.  His  service  was  with 
the  dragoons. 

John  was  in  Cloud's  company  of  Cleveland's  com- 
mand. While  on  a  scout  with  Thomas  Lankford,  both 
men  were  wounded,  and  Martin  was  left  for  dead,  but 
recovered  and  rejoined  his  company. 

Robert  was  also  under  Cloud. 

William  was  pensioned  in  Woodford  county,  Ken- 
tucky, when  seventy-two. 

Samuel  was  a  captain  of  twenty  of  Chronicle's  men. 
Four  were  killed  and  two  wounded. 

Joseph  was  a  captain  in  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia, but  moved  to  Sullivan  in  1782.     He  was  also  in  the 


208  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Boyd  Creek  battle  and  became  a  major.     Ramsay  says 
much  of  him. 

Matthew,  born  in  Charlotte  county,  Virginia,  1763, 
died  in  Bedford  county,  Tennessee,  in  1846.  He  was  a 
private  under  his  brother,  Lieutenant  George,  and  was 
pensioned  in  1831.  He  was  the  youngest  of  eight  broth- 
ers, all  of  whom  were  in  the  army. 

Mascra.  Thomas  and  Patrick  of  Lincoln  county  were 
pensioned  1833. 

Massingale.  Michael  of  Grainger  county  was  under 
Captain  Been.  Many  descendants  are  in  Grainger  and 
adjoining  counties. 

James*  is  mentioned  in  the  Washington  records  of 

1778-82. 

Mattocks.  Captain  John  of  the  Lincoln  county  men 
was  killed.  His  brother  Charles  was  also  in  the  battle, 
but  the  life  of  their  brother  Edward,  a  tory,  was  spared 
at  his  intercession,  and  he  also  became  a  whig.  They 
moved  to  Georgia. 

Maxwell.  George  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1751, 
went  early  to  the  Holston,  and  became  a  lieutenant  in 
1777.  When  the  Ingles  were  captured  by  Indians  he 
went  to  the  rescue.  He  commanded  a  company  under 
Shelby  at  King's  Mountain.  He  was  one  of  the  first  jus- 
tices of  Sullivan  and  held  other  important  offices. 

John  was  under  Campbell.  In  1781  two  of  his 
daughters  were  scalped  by  Northern  Indians.  Maxwell's 
Gap  in  Washington  county,  Virginia,  is  where  the  capture 
and  murder  of  the  Ingle  family  took  place. 

James  was  also  at  King's  Mountain.  He  was  killed 
while  pursuing  the  Indians  who  had  murdered  the  daugh- 
ters of  John.  His  white  hunting  shirt  made  a  conspicuous 
target. 

Thomas  of  the  same  county  was  under  Shelby.  He 
said  the  action  began  at  the  east  end  of  the  mountain, 
Campbell  and  Shelby  there  being  opposed  by  the  British 
regulars  led  by  Ferguson  in  person. 

All  these  Maxwells  seem  to  have  been  brothers,  or 
otherwise  near  of  kin. 

May.  Humphrey  and  John  were  Virginians,  and  it 
is  claimed  they  were  in  the  battle.     Humphrey,  a  ser- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  209 

geant,  was  pensioned  1833,  when  seventy-six.  John  was 
clerk  of  Botetourt  in  1773,  a  lawyer  in  Fincastle  county 
in  1774-75,  and  received  a  bounty  warrant. 

Mayes.  William  was  a  North  Carolina  soldier,  and 
was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  as  a  private,  1833. 

Meaden.  Andrew  and  John  were  at  Ramseur's  mill 
and  Cowpens,  and  descendants  claim  they  were  also  at 
King's  Mountain.  They  were  pensioned  1833  in  Jefferson 
county,  Tennessee. 

Meek.  Adam  came  from  Ireland  while  young,  set- 
tled in  Mecklenburg  county,  North  Carolina,  and  was  a 
signer  of  the  celebrated  Mecklenburg  petition,  lie  was 
a  lieutenant  at  King's  Mountain.  His  was  the  first  cabin 
in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee.  No  neighbor  was  west 
of  him,  and  the  nearest  mill  was  at  Greenville.  He  was 
a  surveyor,  and  was  buried  at  Strawberry  Plains.  He 
married  a  Miss  Childers  of  Mecklenburg.  His  son,  Adam 
K.,  was  in  the  Seminole  war.  The  Habersham  Collec- 
tions say  this  of  the  Meeks:  "On  Bullock  Creek  (South 
Carolina)  were  the  Meeks,  three  of  whom,  Moses,  James, 
and  Adam  were  in  the  war.  The  place  is  still  owned  by 
grandsons. " 

John,  a  son  of  James  and  Annie,  was  in  the  battle. 
He  married  Jane  McCutcheon,  June  15,  1770.  Her  father 
was  also  in  the  battle.  Joseph,  son  of  John,  married  Re- 
becca Meek. 

Mendenhall.  Nathan  is  said  to  have  been  with  the 
Lincoln  men.    He  was  pensioned  in  Lincoln,  1833. 

Meredith.  William  was  born  in  Louisa  county,  Vir- 
ginia, his  parents  coming  from  Wales.  On  the  Yadkin 
he  was  a  neighbor  to  Colonel  Cleveland,  and  commanded 
a  company  under  him  at  King's  Mountain.  He  went  into 
the  war  at  the  beginning.  Afterward  he  taught  school. 
He  died  on  the  Tugalo  River. 

Miller.  James  (1740-1812)  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, saw  much  military  service,  commanded  a  company 
under  Hampton  at  King's  Mountain,  and  in  1781  was 
made  a  colonel.  Next  year  he  led  the  Rutherford  troops 
against  the  Cherokees.  He  was  state  senator  four  terms. 
In  1767  he  married  Agnes  Miller,  his  cousin. 

John,  an  ensign,  was  with  the  men  from  Orange,  and 
was  pensioned  1833.  His  wife  was  a  sister  to  William 
Twitty,  also  a  King's  Mountain  soldier.     On  one  occasion 


210  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

she  made  a  successful  dash  for  guns  and  ammunition,  al- 
though under  the  fire  of  tories. 

Robert  of  Chester  district  was  under  Lacy,  and  was 
wounded. 

Millon. was  in  Evan  Shelby's  troop,  and  was 

also  in  the  Chickamauga  campaign. 

Mitchell.  Elijah  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  county, 
North  Carolina,  April  8,  1761,  was  in  the  battle  under 
McDowell,  and  was  pensioned  1832.  He  died  in  Warren 
county,  Indiana. 

James  was  also  under  McDowell  and  pensioned 
1832.  He  married  Mary  Craig,  and  died  in  Maury  coun- 
ty, Tennessee.    His  son  Andrew  married  Mary  McGovern. 

Edward  (1760-1837)  was  a  private  in  the  Virginia 
militia,  was  pensioned  1835,  and  died  in  Illinois.  His 
first  wife  was  Mary  Halse,  his  second  was  Eleanor  Essex. 

MofFett.  John  was  born  in  Virginia  and  settled  in 
Chester  district,  South  Carolina.  He  was  at  King's  Moun- 
tain under  Lacy.  He  also  served  under  Sumter,  in  the 
Snow  campaign,  and  in  1776  against  the  Cherokees.  Be- 
fore the  close  of  the  war  he  was  made  a  colonel.  He 
died  in  DeKalb  county,  Georgia,  1829,  aged  eighty-six. 

Monroe.  William,  as  is  claimed  by  descendants,  was 
with  Campbell  at  King's  Mountain,  having  already  serv- 
ed under  him.  He  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Virginia 
(?),  and  was  pensioned  1835. 

Montgomery.  Alexander  lost  a  saddle  in  the  fight. 
The  same  year  he  was  a  coroner  of  Washington. 

James  married  Mary  Robinson  and  a  daughter  mar- 
ried Walter  Preston. 

Richard  was  with  the  Washington  men. 

Robert  was  under  Campbell. 

It  is  claimed  that  John  of  Botetourt,  who  led  a  com- 
pany in  the  Big  Sandy  expedition  of  1757,  was  at  King's 
Mountain,  but  it  may  have  been  a  younger  John. 

Thomas  was  a  brother  to  Alexander. 

Mooney.  Martin  was  in  Fontaine's  company  of  the 
14th  Virginia,  and  was  with  Cleveland  at  Long  Bridge, 
King's  Mountain,  and  Ninety-Six.  See  Wood's  History  of 
Albemarle. 

Richard*  was  in  Greene's  battles  in  the  Carolinas 
and  was  pensioned  in  Albemarle  in  1835,  but  there  is 
no  mention  of  King's  Mountain. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  211 

Moore.  Alexander  was  in  the  Lincoln  militia,  was 
pensioned  in  Lincoln  in  1833,  and  there  is  a  tradition  that 
he  was  at  King's  Mountain. 

John  was  born  in  Lincoln  in  1759.  His  father  was 
William  Moore,  one  of  the  first  settlers.  John  and  his 
brothers,  Alexander,  James,  and  William  were  in  the 
Revolution,  were  pensioned,  and  all  are  claimed  as  King's 
Mountain  men. 

Samuel  of  York  county,  South  Carolina,  was  under 
Hambright.  He  was  also  at  Ramseur's  mill  and  Mus- 
grove's  mill.  In  the  latter  skirmish  Moore  led  a  party  of 
twelve  up  the  river,  crossed,  and  attacked  with  such  vigor 
as  to  decide  the  action.  When  Colonel  Hambright  was 
wounded  at  King's  Mountain,  he  declined  an  offer  by 
Moore  to  assist  him  from  his  horse. 

William  lost  a  leg  by  amputation,  and  was  left  at 
the  house  of  a  friend.  Hearing  of  his  plight,  his  wife 
rode  a  horse  all  the  way  from  Washington  county,  and 
nursed  him  until  he  could  go  home.  He  was  pensioned 
in  Washington  and  lived  until  1826.  His  son  William 
married  Elizabeth  Steele. 

Morehead.  John  was  born  in  Richmond  county,  Vir- 
ginia, 1766  and  died  in  Rockingham  county,  North  Caro- 
lina, 1832.  He  was  also  at  Guilford.  His  wife  was  Obed- 
ience Morehead. 

Morgan.    Isaac  was  one  of  Shelby's  men. 

Thomas  was  also  under  Shelby.  Warm  Springs  on 
the  French  were  discovered  by  him  and  Henry  Reynolds, 
while  on  a  scout  in  1778. 

Morrison.  By  tradition,  Peter  and  William  of  Burke 
county,  North  Carolina,  were  under  Cleveland.  William, 
a  private  was  pensioned  in  Dickson  county,  Tennessee, 
in  1833,  when  seventy-five. 

Munday.  Jeremiah  was  a  Lincoln  soldier  and  was 
there  pensioned  in  1833.     He  served  under  Chronicle. 

Murphy.  Patrick  was  born  in  county  Kerry,  Ire- 
land, and  was  in  Sevier's  regiment.  In  the  battle  his 
windpipe  was  badly  cut  by  a  ball.  When  his  comrades 
washed  the  wound  with  some  captured  rum,  Murphy 
drank  a  portion  of  the  liquor,  saying  "it  was  as  good  in 
as  it  was  out."  His  home  was  in  Washington  county, 
Tennessee. 

William  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1759,  and  died  in 


212  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Missouri  in  1799.     He  served  under  Sevier  in  1776-78, 
and  was  with  him  at  King's  Mountain. 

Joseph  was  a  brother  to  William  and  also  died  in 
Missouri  near  the  present  town  of  Farmington.  He  was 
also  at  Guilford. 

Murfree.  Henry  is  claimed  as  a  North  Carolina  par- 
ticipant. 

John  was  also  in  the  battle.  He  was  pensioned  in 
Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four. 

Musick.  Lewis  Musick  and  William  Twitty,  after 
the  defense  of  Graham's  fort,  followed  Ferguson  as  spies. 
They  captured  his  cook  at  King's  Mountain.  Draper 
mentions  them. 

Murdoch.  John  was  born  in  Ireland,  was  with  the 
Washington  troops,  and  in  1782  entered  a  landgrant  at 
Abingdon.  His  son  Joseph  married  Martha,  daughter  of 
Arthur  Lee. 

Nave.  It  is  a  tradition  that  Abraham,  Conrad,  and 
Henry,  sons  of  Teeler  Nave,  were  under  Shelby.  Teeler* 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  on  the  Watauga.  Abraham 
married  Mary  Williams  and  settled  in  Carter  county. 
Conrad  was  at  Point  Pleasant. 

Neal.  John,  of  the  North  Carolina  militia,  was  pen- 
sioned in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  when  eighty  years 
old. 

Captain  William  was  under  Campbell,  who  consid- 
ered him  an  officer  of  character  and  energy,  and  left  him 
in  charge  of  the  men  following  on  foot  to  urge  them  for- 
ward.   He  received  a  bounty  warrant. 

Neally.     B was  at  Point  Pleasant  and  King's 

Mountain. 

Nelson.  John  was  a  North  Carolina  private,  and  was 
pensioned  in  Warren  county,  Tennessee,  when  eighty 
years  old. 

Sutney  is  said  to  have  reached  the  age  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen.    His  son  David  married  Charlotte  Lane. 

William  was  in  Tipton's  company  of  Shelby's  regi- 
ment. He  was  pensioned  in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee 
in  1833  when  eighty-seven. 

Newall.    Samuel  Sr.,  is  listed  by  Summers. 
Samuel,  Jr.,  was  sent  in  1776  by  the  commandant 
at  Fort  Patrick  Henry  to  bring  in  Raven,  the  Indian  chief 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  213 

at  Choto.  In  1778  he  was  on  scout  duty  with  Captain 
Dysart  in  the  Powell  and  Clinch  valleys.  At  King's 
Mountain  he  was  a  lieutenant  under  Campbell.  In  1781 
he  was  on  an  expedition  against  the  Cherokees.  He  set- 
tled in  Sevier  county.  The  following  letter  was  written 
to  General  John  Campbell,  when  the  latter  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Executive  Council  at  Richmond. 

Abingdon,  Va.,  June  5,  1825. 
Dear  Sir : 

I  have  read  with  great  delight  the  narrative  of  Col- 
onel Samuel  Newell,  of  Kentucky,  and  the  part  Colonel 
Campbell  acted  in  the  King  Mountain  engagement.  Col- 
onel Newell's  general  character,  from  the  period  of  man- 
hood to  the  present  time,  I  have  understood  has  been  uni- 
formly good,  although  I  had  not  the  pleasure  of  an  inti- 
mate acquaintance  with  him,  yet  I  have  occasionally  seen 
him  from  upwards  of  the  last  thirty  years;  and  heard 
his  character  several  years  before  and  frequently  since 
my  acquaintance  with  him.  He  moved  from  Virginia 
many  years  ago,  but  has  left  behind  him  a  favorable  im- 
pression in  this  country  of  general  good  character  for  in- 
telligence, veracity  and  respectability,  and  from  all  I  can 
learn  from  others  he  has  sustained  the  same  reputation 
in  the  States  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  where  he  has 
resided  since.  I  can  with  confidence  assert  that  I  have 
never  heard  him  spoken  of  in  any  other  manner  than 
terms  of  respect. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  sincere  friend 

Andrew  Russell 

Newman.  Isaac  was  in  the  militia  from  Guilford, 
and  located  a  landgrant  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee, 
accompanied  by  his  son  Joseph,  who  married  Catharine 
Cate.     Descendants  are  in  Jefferson. 

John,  an  early  immigrant  to  the  Watauga,  was  one 
of  Sevier's  riflemen.  In  1782  he  was  a  justice  of  Greene, 
and  afterward  was  colonel  of  its  militia.  He  voted 
against  the  state  of  Franklin. 

Newland.  Lewis  was  an  ensign  at  King's  Mountain, 
and  by  tradition  Abram  and  Isac  were  also  present.  Isaac 
was  living  near  Abingdon  in  1790. 

Nicholas.  Flayl  was  born  on  the  Sweetwater  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  present  with  Campbell.  He  married  Nan- 
cy Hatcher,  a  cousin  to  Henry  Clay,  and  spent  his  last 
years  in  Tennessee. 


214  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

James,  a  brother  to  Flayl,  was  also  in  the  battle. 

Nixon.  John  (1758-1781)  raised  a  company,  and 
in  1780  became  a  lieutenant  colonel.  He  was  in  com- 
mand at  Hanging  Rock,  after  Colonel  McClure  was 
wounded.  Soon  after  King's  Mountain  he  was  killed  by 
marauding  tories.  He  married  Mary  Adair  in  1774.  His 
daughter,  Mary  married  John  Hemphill.  Descendants 
are  in  Chester  county,  South  Carolina. 

O'Brien.  William  was  under  Sevier  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  North  Carolina. 

Oglesby.  Elisha  of  the  Virginia  militia  was  pension- 
ed in  1833  in  Summers  county,  Tennessee. 

It  is  claimed  that  Richard,  a  captain  of  Amelia 
county,  in  1780,  was  also  present. 

O'Gullion.  Barney  and  Hugh  were  in  Shelby's 
Chickamauga  campaign  as  well  as  at  King's  Mountain. 

Outlaw.     Alexander  was  one  of  the  first  officers  of 
.the  state  of  Franklin  and  a  staunch  friend  to  Sevier.    In 
1783  he  was  living  in  Jefferson.     See  Lineage  Book  9, 
D.  A.  R. 

Overton.  Eli  of  the  North  Carolina  militia  was  pen- 
sioned in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee  in  1833,  when 
seventy-four.  His  descendants  think  he  was  in  the  bat- 
tle. 

Owen.  John  was  pensioned  in  Smith  county,  Ten- 
nessee, in  1833  when  seventy-three  years  old.  See  Line- 
age Book  6,  D.  A.  R. 

Robert  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Palmer.  John,  Peter,  and  Thomas  were  in  Marion's 
brigade,  and  according  to  tradition  were  at  King's  Moun- 
tain under  Lacy.  Thomas  (1763-1811)  married  Eliza- 
beth Richburg.  Their  daughter  Narian  wedded  a  son  of 
Peter  Gaillard,  one  of  Moultrie's  soldiers. 

Thomas  was  a  private  from  Botetourt,  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  Cocke  county,  Tennessee  when  seventy-three. 

Parke.  Ezekiel  Evans  Parke  was  present.  See 
Lineage  Book  2,  D.  A.  R. 

Parke.  George  (1759-1837)  was  born  in  Amherst 
county,  Virginia,  and  when  a  boy  went  with  his  father 
to  the  Yadkin.  At  King's  Mountain  he  was  in  Captain 
Lenoir's  mounted  riflemen.     He  was  pensioned  1832  for 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  215 

one  year's  service  and  died  in  Monroe  county,  Indiana. 
His  wife  was  Milly  Davidson. 

Another  George  was  present  under  Shelby,  and  was 
also  in  the  Chickamauga  campaign  of  1779. 

Parker.  Humphrey  was  from  Lincoln  county,  where 
he  was  pensioned.    He  was  also  in  the  border  wars. 

Patterson.  Arthur  and  his  three  sons,  Arthur  Jr., 
Thomas,  and  William,  were  in  the  battle.  The  father 
was  killed.  He  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  settled  near 
King's  Mountain.  The  day  before  the  battle  the  boys 
were  captured  by  Ferguson's  foragers  and  placed  under 
guard.  The  father  came  to  secure  their  release,  but  just 
before  he  could  reach  Ferguson's  camp  the  action  had 
begun.  The  sons  escaped  and  joined  the  whigs.  Arthur 
Jr.,  located  a  landgrant  in  Tennessee. 

William  of  Patterson's  mill  on  the  Watauga  was  in 
the  battle. 

Patton.  Captain  Matthew  is  mentioned  by  Draper 
as  in  the  King's  Mountain  campaign. 

Robert  was  also  in  the  battle  according  to  the  same 
author,  as  a  soldier  under  McDowell. 

Mrs.  Mary  Patton  is  said  to  have  made  powder  used 
in  the  battle.  Her  maiden  name  was  Mary  McKeehen, 
and  she  was  born  in  England.  She  married  John  Pat- 
ton at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  settled  on  Pow- 
der Creek  in  Carter  county.  She  had  learned  how  to 
make  powder  and  when  Nathaniel  Taylor,  who  had 
married  her  cousin,  settled  also  in  Carter,  he  built  a  pow- 
der mill.  Here  Mary  Patton  made  powder  for  years  be- 
fore and  after  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  It  is  said 
she  furnished  five  hundred  pounds  of  powder  for  the  ex- 
pedition, asked  no  pay  for  it,  and  received  nothing.  Her 
price,  when  she  sold  powder,  was  one  dollar  a  pound, 
and  a  portion  of  her  product  was  marketed  east  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  being  carried  by  a  footpath.  Her  life  was 
very  active,  for  in  addition  to  the  mill,  she  managed  the 
farm  at  the  head  of  Powder  Branch  which  is  now  owned 
by  James  Moffett.  She  died  in  1836  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
five.  This  story  of  her  life  was  told  me  by  T.  V.  Patton, 
a  great  grandson.  On  the  monument  on  the  public  square 
in  Elizabethton,  dedicated  to  the  soldiers  of  all  the  Amer- 
ican wars,  appears  the  name  of  Mary  Patton. 

Pearce.  Joshua  moved  from  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
to  Sullivan  county,  and  is  thought  to  have  been  in  the 
battle. 


216  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Pearson.    Abel  was  at  Boyd  Creek  as  well  as  King's 
Mountain. 

Peebar.  Elias,  one  of  the  early  Watauga  settlers, 
signed  the  Halifax  petition. 

Peery.  John  and  Thomas  were  of  the  company  that 
joined  Campbell  on  Wolf  Creek.  The  Peerys  were  early 
settlers  on  the  Clinch,  and  took  part  in  the  warfare  with 
the  Indians.  In  1773,  three  brothers,  Thomas,  William, 
and  George,  and  a  cousin,  John  Peery,  were  living  in 
Tazewell,  where  the  name  is  still  prominent.  At  Guil- 
ford, John  was  badly  sabered  by  Tarleton's  men  and  his 
son  Thomas  was  killed.  Pendleton,  in  his  History  of 
Tazewell,  says,  "No  roll  of  the  company  has  been  preserv- 
ed, and  therefore  it  is  impossible  to  give  all  the  names 
from  Tazewell  that  were  in  the  King's  Mountain  battle. 
Traditions  and  imperfect  records  show  that  David  Ward, 
Thomas  Maxwell,  James  Laird,  Thomas  Witten,  Jr.,  John 
Skaggs,  and  John  and  Thomas  Peery,  father  and  son, 
were  members  of  the  company  that  went  from  Tazewell 
and  joined  Campbell  at  Wolf  Creek." 

Peck.  Adam  came  from  Botetourt  and  was  one  of 
the  first  pioneers  on  Mossy  Creek.  He  served  under  Camp- 
bell and  was  pensioned  in  Jefferson.  Of  his  twelve  chil- 
dren, Jacob,  the  eldest,  became  a  lawyer  and  settled  in 
Missouri.  M.  L.,  who  remained  on  the  homestead,  was 
a  pensioner  of  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Susan, 
daughter  of  a  man  prominent  in  the  early  history  of  East 
Tennessee.    The  homestead  is  yet  in  the  family. 

Pemberton.  Captain  John  was  in  Shelby's  regiment. 
He  was  in  the  feud  between  Sevier  and  Tipton.  At  the 
request  of  Tipton,  Pemberton  came  with  thirty  men,  sta- 
tioning them  unperceived  in  front  of  Sevier's  camp,  and 
ordered  a  volley  fired,  but  with  care  not  to  hit  anyone  on 
the  other  side.  After  the  fusillade  John  Cowan  went  out 
from  Sevier's  camp  with  a  white  flag  for  the  purpose  of 
a  parley,  but  was  arrested  and  taken  away.  Since  the 
men  of  both  factions  had  been  comrades  at  King's  Moun- 
tain, their  hostilities  were  limited  to  angry  words.  Per- 
haps the  many  Pembertons  in  Anderson  county,  Tennes- 
see, are  of  this  family. 

Pendergast.  Garrett  was  under  Shelby.  See  Draper 
manuscripts. 

Pepper.    Elisha,  a  Virginia  soldier,  was  killed  in  the 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  217 

battle.  He  seems  to  have  been  of  the  family  of  Samuel, 
who  lived  near  Fort  Chiswell,  county  seat  of  Fincastle 
county. 

Perkins.  Elisha  was  in  Shelby's  command.  See 
Draper  manuscripts. 

Perry.     Solomon  is  listed  by  Summers. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  Jesse,  pensioned  in  Knox 
in  1833  for  service  in  the  North  Carolina  militia,  was  in 
the  battle. 

PertSe.     George,  an  ensign,  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Peters.     John  served  under  Captain  Pemberton. 

Pettiford.  Edward  was  under  Campbell  and  located 
a  landgrant  in  Tennessee.    See  Lineage  Book  4,  D.  A.  R. 

Phillips.     James,  an  ensign,  was  killed. 

Samuel  was  related  to  Colonel  Shelby,  and  conveyed 
from  and  to  him  a  verbal  message  from  Ferguson.  It  said 
that  if  Shelby  and  the  other  officers  of  the  over-mountain 
men  did  not  desist  from  their  opposition  to  the  British 
arms,  he  would  march  his  army  over  the  mountains,  hang 
their  leaders,  and  lay  their  country  waste  with  fire  and 
sword.     King's  Mountain  was  the  answer  to  this  threat. 

Joseph  served  under  Cleveland.  He  moved  from 
Surry  county,  North  Carolina,  to  Claiborne  county,  Ten- 
nessee, where  he  was  pensioned  1833,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-one. 

Pierce.  James  was  one  of  Sevier's  riflemen.  He 
is  mentioned  by  Draper. 

Joseph  was  one  of  Shelby's  men  and  was  in  the 
Chickamauga  campaign  of  1779. 

Piper.  James  was  with  Campbell.  His  son  Joseph 
moved  to  Tennessee,  where  descendants  still  live. 

Pippin.  Robert  was  of  the  Virginia  militia,  and  was 
pensioned  in  Washington  county,  1833. 

Pitman.  William  was  in  the  Virginia  militia  and  re- 
ceived a  landgrant  for  service. 

Pitts.    Lewis  was  from  Washington  county,  Virginia. 

Plonk.  Jacob  was  under  Cleveland  and  was  pension- 
ed in  Lincoln. 

Polk.     Ezekiel  signed  the  Mecklenburg  declaration. 


218  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

See  Hunter's  Sketches,    Wheeler's    Reminiscences,    and 
Lineage  Book  10,  D.  A.  R. 

Poison.  Andrew  was  with  Captain  Shelby  at  King's 
Mountain  and  in  the  Chickamauga  campaign. 

Porter.  Major  James  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1754  (?),  and  died  childless  in  Greenville  district,  South 
Carolina.  He  was  with  the  Rutherford  men  under  Hamp- 
ton, and  was  wounded. 

William  was  a  brother  to  James  and  was  in  the  same 
troop.  He  served  nineteen  years  in  the  legislature  and 
was  killed  by  lightning  in  1817,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
one. 

Robert  was  a  cousin  to  the  above  and  was  an  officer 
in  the  battle. 

Potter.  William  of  the  Lincoln  militia  was  pension- 
ed in  North  Carolina,  and  it  is  claimed  he  was  in  the  bat- 
tle. 

Poston.  Richard  was  in  Virginia  on  the  North  Fork 
of  Holston.    He  was  in  the  battle  under  Campbell. 

Prather.  Charles  was  with  Shelby  at  King's  Moun- 
tain and  Chickamauga.    See  Draper  manuscripts. 

Preston.  Robert  was  a  Virginia  soldier  under  Ed- 
mondson.  In  1781  he  was  a  deputy  surveyor  of  Washing- 
ton. 

Walter  was  a  brother  to  Robert  and  was  also  under 
Edmondson.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1765,  and  died 
at  Abingdon  in  1834.  He  was  a  graduate  of  William 
and  Mary,  and  after  the  war  held  many  important  posi- 
tions in  Washington.  He  married  Annie,  daughter  of 
James  Montgomery.    See  Lineage  Book  56,  D.  A.  R. 

Thomas  commanded  a  company,  serving  under  Se- 
vier. In  the  Watauga  purchase  of  1775  his  name  ap- 
pears with  that  of  Sevier.  In  his  dealings  with  the  In- 
dians in  1777  he  is  called  Captain  Thomas. 

Price.  James  came  early  to  the  Holston,  was  in 
many  skirmishes  before  King's  Mountain,  where  he  serv- 
ed under  Campbell. 

Samuel  was  with  Shelby  at  King's  Mountain  and 
Chickamauga. 

The  Thomas  Preston  named  above  may  have  been 
a  Price. 

Jonathan  served  under  Colonel  James  Johnson.    He 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  219 

married  Betsy,  daughter  of  Robert  Ewart,  whose  father 
was  also  in  the  battle. 

Purviance.     William  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Rabb.  William  was  killed  in  the  battle  soon  after 
Chronicle.  His  name  is  on  the  McLean  monument.  See 
lineage  Book  9,  D.  A.  R. 

Rankin.  William  was  with  the  North  Carolina 
troops,  and  was  pensioned  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee 
in  1833.  It  was  he  and  Jeremiah  Jack  who  went  down 
the  Holston  to  barter  for  corn,  and  would  not  have  se- 
cured any  but  for  Nancy  Ward.  He  represented  Greene 
in  the  first  convention  called  by  Governor  Blount. 

David  and  William  were  prominent  in  Franklin. 

Reanney.     Daniel  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Reazer.    Peter  is  also  listed  by  Summers. 

Reed.  James  had  seven  sons  at  King's  Mountain, 
namely:  Benjamin,  James,  John,  Joseph,  Samuel,  Thom- 
as, William.  See  Lineage  Book  9,  D.  A.  R.  John,  Joseph, 
and  Samuel  were  pensioned. 

Reep.  Adam  lived  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Cataw- 
ba and  served  under  Graham  against  the  tories ;  at  King's 
Mountain  under  Dickson. 

Michael*  was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  county,  North 
Carolina,  although  his  name  does  not  appear  as  a  King's 
Mountain  man. 

Regan.  Charles  was  likewise  pensioned  in  Lincoln, 
and  it  is  the  tradition  that  he  was  in  the  battle. 

Remfeldt.  Henry*  was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  in  1833, 
but  I  am  not  sure  he  was  at  King's  Mountain. 

Reese.  James  was  with  Shelby.  He  lived  in  Greene 
county  and  voted  for  the  state  of  Franklin,  the  others 
from  that  county  in  the  same  convention  being  Daniel 
Kennedy,  Joseph  Hardin,  John  Newman,  and  James  Rod- 
dy.   All  were  King's  Mountain  soldiers. 

David  was  a  signer  of  the  Mecklenburg  Resolutions. 

Reeves.  William  was  on  Watauga  in  1775,  and  sign- 
ed the  Halifax  petition  of  1776.  He  was  under  Sevier  in 
the  border  wars,  and  was  almost  certainly  at  King's 
Mountain.  His  son,  William  P.,  born  1773,  died  1835, 
married  Mary,  one  of  the  eight  children  of  William  De- 


220  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


valt.     Descendants  are  numerous  in  Washington  county, 
Tennessee. 

Reynolds.  Elisha  was  born  in  Wilkes  1755,  was  in 
skirmishes  under  Rutherford  in  1776,  fought  the  tories  on 
New  River,  arid  served  with  Cleveland  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. After  his  colonel  was  captured  by  Riddle,  he  went 
to  his  relief  under  Captain  Johnson,  and  the  tory  gang 
was  broken  up.  He  became  a  lieutenant,  and  died  in 
1836  aged  eighty-one. 

Henry  was  a  scout  in  the  summer  of  1778,  when  he 
was  one  of  the  discoverers  of  Warm  Springs.  While  look- 
ing for  some  stolen  horses,  they  tied  their  horses  on  the 
north  bank  and  waded  the  French  Broad,  when  a  current 
of  warm  water  attracted  their  attention.  Next  year  the 
springs  became  a  health  resort.  Reynolds  moved  to  Illi- 
nois. 

Nathaniel  was  in  Gaffney's  company,  and  located  his 
landgrant  near  Concord,  Tennessee.  See  Lineage  Book 
4,  D.  A.  R. 

Rhea.  Until  1779  Sullivan  was  thought  to  be  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  first  grants  of  land  were  by  that  state, 
Pendleton  in  1756  acquiring  3000  acres.  Joseph*  Rhea, 
a  Presbyterian  minister,  of  Maryland,  came  to  remain  in 
1776,  and  was  with  an  expedition  against  the  Cherokees. 
John  came  also  in  1776,  and  bought  land  on  Beaver.  Mrs. 
Rhea  came  as  a  widow  in  1778,  with  the  others  of  her 
family,  John,  Matthew,  James,  Samuel,  Joseph,  Robert, 
and  William.  John  was  at  King's  Mountain,  was  the  first 
clerk  in  his  county,  was  also  a  lawyer,  and  was  in  Con- 
gress from  1803  till  1823.  He  never  married  and  died 
1837. 

Ritchie.    Alexander  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Samuel  is  also  listed  by  Summers.  He  was  in  the  fort 
at  Hamblin  mills  when  it  was  attacked  by  Indians. 

William  was  from  Botetourt  county.  He  was  sum- 
moned by  the  court  of  Washington  in  1780  to  say  why  he 
did  not  serve  on  the  grand  jury. 

Roberson.     William  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Roberts.     David  and  James  are  listed  by  Summers. 

Robertson.  Charles  was  a  major  under  Shelby.  He 
was  an  early  settler,  his  name  often  appearing  in  the 
court  records  of  1777-80.    He  was  at  Point  Pleasant  and 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  221 

Musgrove's  mill,  and  was  wounded  at  Cedar  Spring.    See 
Ramsay,  Draper,  and  Allison's  Dropped  Stitches. 

William,  of  the  Rutherford  men  under  Hampton, 
was  wounded. 

Robinson.  William  was  from  Rutherford  and  was 
under  McDowell  and  Hampton.  He  was  shot  through 
the  body.  He  asked  the  man  lying  next  to  him  if  he 
were  wounded,  and  the  man  said  his  gun  was  choked 
and  would  not  go  off.  Robinson  handed  him  his  rifle  and 
shot-pouch,  and  lay  back  to  die.  He  was  attended  to  by 
Mrs.  McDowell  and  her  daughter,  and  lived  to  rear  a 
family  in  Rutherford  county. 

Thomas,  a  brother  to  William,  was  in  the  same  regi- 
ment. A  tory  neighbor  named  Lafferty  saw  he  was  be- 
hind a  tree  and  called  him  by  name.  When  Robinson 
peered  around  to  ascertain  who  spoke,  a  bullet  cut  the 
bark  near  his  head.    Robinson  then  fired  and  hit  the  tory. 

Willaim  was  a  lieutenant  under  Sevier,  and  a  signer 
to  the  Halifax  petition. 

Roddy.  James,  an  early  settler  on  the  Watauga,  was 
under  Captain  Been  when  the  tories  under  Grimes  were 
driven  out  in  1778.  They  had  killed  one  Millican  and 
tried  to  kill  Roddy,  who  served  under  Sevier  in  Boyd's 
Creek,  King's  Mountain,  and  skirmishes  with  the  tories. 
He  supported  the  state  of  Franklin,  and  represented 
Greene  county  several  terms.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
justices  of  Jefferson  after  that  county  was  formed. 

Roebuck.  Benjamin  was  born  in  Orange  county, 
Virginia,  1755,  moved  to  Spartanburg  district,  South 
Carolina  in  1777,  and  was  a  lieutenant  at  Stono  and  Sa- 
vannah. He  fought  under  Sumter  at  Hanging  Rock  and 
Musgrove's  mill,  and  commanded  a  company  at  King's 
Mountain.  At  Cowpens,  where  a  horse  was  shot  under 
him,  he  was  made  a  lieutenant  colonel.  In  1781  he  was 
wounded  at  Mud  Lick,  the  ball  lodging  under  the  shoul- 
der-blade and  remaining  there.  He  was  likewise  captur- 
ed, being  confined  at  Ninety-Six  during  the  seige,  and  af- 
terward in  a  prison  ship.  He  was  exchanged  in  August, 
but  died  in  1788  from  the  effects  of  his  wound.  He  never 
was  married. 

Roler.  Martin  was  at  King's  Mountain.  See  De- 
Peyter. 

Roper.  Roger  was  in  the  battle  and  was  pensioned 
in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  1833. 


222  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Rosebrough.  William  was  a  captain  and  is  listed  by 
Summers. 

Ross.  John  was  born  1764,  served  in  the  North 
Carolina  militia  under  his  brother-in-law,  and  is  said  to 
have  been  at  King's  Mountain.  He  married  Edna  Wal- 
ker and  was  pensioned  in  Tennessee. 

Russell.  For  record  of  Andrew  see  Lineage  Book  8, 
D.  A.  R. 

George  was  a  captain  under  Sevier.  He  was  then  a 
justice  of  Washington  county,  Tennessee,  and  was  one  of 
the  thirteen  commissioners  of  the  Watauga  convention  of 
1772. 

William,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Culpeper  in  1758,  was  a 
lieutenant  under  Neel  at  King's  Mountain,  and  subse- 
quently an  adjutant  to  Colonel  Campbell.  In  1774  he  ac- 
companied Daniel  Boone  to  Powell's  Valley.  Between 
1791  and  1794  he  was  with  Wayne  and  others  in  their 
Indian  campaigns.  In  1808  he  was  in  the  regular  army, 
and  he  commanded  a  company  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
died  1825,  aged  sixty-six. 

Rutledge.  George  was  born  in  Ireland  1755,  and 
died  at  Blountsville,  Tennessee,  1813.  He  settled  in  Sul- 
livan 1777,  and  was  with  Shelby's  men  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. He  represented  Sullivan  in  the  first  Tennessee  legis- 
lature, and  in  the  third  was  a  senator,  still  being  such 
when  he  died.  In  1798  he  was  brigadier  in  place  of  Se- 
vier. He  married  Annie  Armstrong  in  1802.  His  son 
married  a  daughter  of  one  Netherland,  a  soldier  and 
pioneer  settler  in  Sullivan.  A  county  in  Tennessee  was 
named  in  honor  of  General  Rutledge. 

Sample.  Captain  Samuel  was  at  Point  Pleasant  and 
King's  Mountain.  In  1792  he  was  with  fourteen  men  at 
Menifee  Station,  a  frontier  post  in  Knox  county,  situated 
where  now  is  Bell's  campground  on  the  Clinton  pike.  He 
was  a  neighbor  to  Colonel  Sevier. 

Sawyers.  John  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Vir- 
ginia, 1745,  and  died  in  Knox  county,  Tennessee,  1831. 
He  was  in  Byrd's  expedition  and  other  border  campaigns, 
and  moved  to  the  Holston  about  1768.  Sawyers  fought 
in  the  Point  Pleasant,  Chickamauga,  and  King's  Moun- 
tain campaigns,  and  was  prominent  in  his  adopted  state. 
He  was  buried  at  the  Washington  Pike  church.  A  his- 
tory of  the  family  has  been  published  by  Dr.  M.  M.  Har- 
ris. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  223 

Scott.  Summers  lists  Alexander,  Archibald,  Joseph 
Sr.,  Joseph  Jr.,  Robert,  Thomas,  Walter,  and  William. 
Joseph  was  a  lieutenant  under  Campbell. 

Samuel  Sr.,  (1762-1820)  was  a  minute  man  under 
Campbell.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  died  in 
Kentucky.  His  brothers  Thomas  and  William  were  in 
the  militia.    See  Lineage  Book  9,  D.  A.  R. 

Self.    Thomas  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Sevier.  A  sketch  of  General  John  Sevier  is  in  Chap- 
ter III. 

Valentine,  a  brother,  was  a  captain. 

Robert,  another  brother,  was  also  a  captain.  He 
died  of  wounds  on  the  way  home. 

Abraham,  a  brother,  was  a  private. 

Joseph  and  James  were  sons  of  General  Sevier,  the 
latter  being  only  sixteen  at  the  time  of  the  battle. 

Shannon.  Robert  was  a  captain  of  Lincoln  county, 
and  when  he  heard  the  firing,  he  hastened  with  his  men 
to  the  battle. 

Sharp.  Benjamin,  Edward,  James,  Richard, 
Thomas,  and  William  were  in  the  battle.  Thomas  was  an 
ensign. 

Shaver.  Michael  and  his  brother  Paul  were  in  the 
battle,  and  were  pensioned  in  1833. 

Shelby.  The  Shelbys  came  from  Wales  in  1835,  and 
settled  in  1771  near  North  Mountain  in  Washington 
county. 

Evan  Sr.*  was  active  in  the  border  fighting  and  was 
early  made  a  captain.  He  fought  at  Point  Pleasant,  final- 
ly became  a  general,  and  died  1794  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
four. 

Isaac,  a  son  of  the  above,  was  born  1750,  was  a 
lieutenant  at  Point  Pleasant,  and  as  a  captain  was  with 
his  father  in  the  Chickamauga  campaign  of  1779.  The 
same  year  he  became  a  colonel  and  magistrate  of  Sulli- 
van, and  was  sent  to  the  Virginia  legislature.  In  1780 
he  was  in  Kentucky,  attending  to  some  land  he  had  enter- 
ed, but  hearing  of  the  surrender  of  Charleston,  he  return- 
ed home  and  reentered  the  service,  remaining  in  service 
till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  at  King's  Mountain, 
Thicketty  Fort,  Cedar  Springs,  Musgrove's  mill,  and 
many  other  engagements. 


224  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Evan,  Jr.,  a  brother  to  Isaac,  was  in  the  Chicka- 
mauga  campaign,  and  was  a  major  at  King's  Mountain. 
After  the  war  he  settled  near  Clarksville,  Tennessee,  and 
was  killed  by  Indians  while  returning  from  the  Ohio  with 
supplies.  He  married  Catharine  Shelby,  a  cousin,  and 
had  two  children. 

Moses,  another  brother,  was  wounded  in  the  battle, 
and  died  at  New  Madrid,  Missouri.  His  first  wife  was  a 
Miss  Rentfro,  the  second,  Elizabeth  Deal. 

John  was  in  the  battle  under  Colonel  Shelby.  His 
wife  was  Louisa  Looney. 

David  and  Thomas  were  sons  of  John,  and  it  is 
claimed  that  both  were  at  King's  Mountain.  David  was 
seventeen,  Thomas  about  fifteen.  David  married  Sarah 
Bledsoe  of  Summers  county,  Tennessee,  where  he  died  in 
1822.  But  the  Thomas  in  the  battle  was  probably  the 
Thomas  who  was  a  brother  to  the  colonel,  as  the  latter 
was  with  the  Mecklenburg  troops. 

Colonel  Shelby's  home  in  Kentucky  was  called  "Tra- 
veler's Rest."  It  was  one  of  the  first  stone  houses  in 
that  state  and  is  still  used  by  descendants. 

Sherrill.  Adam  was  born  on  the  Yadkin  1758,  and 
died  in  Russellville,  Alabama,  whither  he  had  gone  with 
his  sister,  "Bonny  Kate,"  the  widow  of  Colonel  Sevier. 
His  wife  was  Mary,  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  Cormack, 
and  his  son  Enos  married  Mary  Abernathy. 

Samuel  Sr.  was  in  the  King's  Mountain  and  other  en- 
gagements, as  were  also  his  sons,  Adam,  George,  and 
Samuel  Jr.  The  Indians,  two  hundred  strong,  made  an 
attack  on  the  Sherrill  Station  on  the  Nollichucky,  in  1788, 
and  were  in  the  act  of  firing  the  buildings  when  put  to 
flight  by  Colonel  Sevier  with  forty  men.  Adam  was  in 
the  battle  at  Boyd's  Creek.  The  men  who  returned  with 
him  from  King's  Mountain  and  were  at  Boyd's  Creek  were 
these :  Col.  Sevier,  Majors  Sharp,  Walton,  and  Tipton, 
Captains  Guess,  Russell,  Pruett,  Stinson,  Roddy,  Carter, 
Handley,  and  Brown,  Lieut.  Lane,  and  John  Ward,  James 
and  Abraham  Sevier,  Thomas  Gist,  Abel  Pearson,  James 
Hubbard,  Jeremiah  Jack,  Isaac  Taylor,  George  Doherty, 

and  Nathan  G .     Tipton  was  severely  wounded  at 

Boyd's  Creek  and  Adam  Sherrill  had  several  ribs  broken 
by  a  fall  from  his  horse.  In  March,  1780,  Washington 
county  raised  100  men  to  go  with  General  Rutherford  to 
the  aid  of  South  Carolina,  and  everyone  was  a  King's 
Mountain  man.  Tipton  and  Joseph  Wilson  were  majors, 
John  McNabb,  Godfrey  Isbell,  William  Trimble,  James 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  226 

Stinson,  and  Robert  Sevier  were  captains,  and  Landon 
Carter,  Samuel  Williams,  Josiah  Hoskins,  William  Been, 
Jacob  Brown,  Zachary  Isbell,  and  Robert  Davis  were  lieu- 
tenants. 

George  Sherrill  and  John  Sevier,  Jr.,  were  but  boys 
when  they  went  to  King's  Mountain.  A  grandson  of 
George  was  Colonel  A.  S.  Colyar,  a  distinguished  citizen 
of  Nashville,  Tennessee. 

Shipp.  Thomas  was  in  Cloud's  company  of  Cleve- 
land's regiment.    He  was  pensioned. 

Shirley.  John  was  under  Cleveland.  See  Arthur's 
History  of  Watauga  County,  North  Carolina. 

Shote.     Thomas,  an  ensign,  is  listed  by  Summers. 
Emanuel*  was  with  Shelby  at  Point  Pleasant. 

Sigman.  John,  of  Burke  county,  was  a  captain  un- 
der McDowell. 

Singleton.  Richard  was  born  in  1759  in  Brunswick 
county,  Virginia,  and  died  in  Lincoln  county,  Kentucky. 
He  was  in  several  other  engagements  and  was  a  major 
in  1780.  Later,  he  served  in  the  legislature,  and  was  a 
sheriff  of  Rutherford. 

Siske.    Daniel,  of  Wilkes  county,  was  killed. 

Skeggs  (Skaggs).  John,  a  private  under  Edmond- 
son,  was  wounded. 

Henry,  one  of  the  Long  Hunters,  was  pensioned  in 
Virginia. 

Smart.  John,  a  Rutherford  soldier  under  Hampton, 
was  killed  by  a  tory  named  Hughes.  In  after  years,  his 
son  John  heard  that  Hughes  was  in  west  Tennessee,  and 
went  to  take  revenge  on  him,  but  never  returned. 

Smith.  David  was  born  in  Anson  county,  North  Car- 
olina, 1753,  and  died  in  Jackson,  Mississippi,  1834.  He 
was  also  at  Cowpens  and  Eutaw.  His  first  wife  was  Obed- 
ience Fort,  whom  he  married  in  1771.  He  married 
again  in  1791.  Piety  Lucretia,  a  daughter,  married  F. 
B.  Hadley. 

Daniel  was  a  major  in  the  Washington  county  mili- 
tia, and  was  pensioned  1833.  See  Lineage  Book  10,  D.  A. 
R. 

Edward,  a  justice  in  1779,  was  in  the  Washington 
militia  under  Campbell,  and  was  pensioned  1835. 


226  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

John  is  listed  by  Summers  and  was  pensioned  in 
Orange  county,  Virginia,  1835. 

Henry,  a  captain  of  Washington  troops,  is  listed  by 
Summers. 

William  was  under  Campbell  and  is  also  listed  by 
Summers. 

William  was  a  captain  in  the  South  Carolina  line, 
and  was  also  at  Wofford's  Ironworks. 

Minor  was  a  captain  under  Cleveland  and  was 
wounded.  In  1781  he  was  with  Rutherford  on  the  Raft 
Swamp  expedition.  He  moved  to  the  Tugalo  in  South 
Carolina. 

James  was  under  Campbell. 

Snodgrass.  James,  a  major  was  either  with  Shelby 
or  Campbell. 

William  was  one  of  Campbell's  soldiers.  In  the 
morning  he  and  Edward  Smith  were  sent  to  turn  the  foot 
soldiers  up  Broad  River.  He  remarked  that  the  enemy 
were  only  a  few  yards  away  in  the  battle.  He  was  also 
in  the  Chickamauga  campaign  of  1779,  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  Tennessee  1833. 

Snoddy.  John  was  a  justice  in  Washington  county, 
Virginia,  1777,  and  at  King's  Mountain  was  under  Camp- 
bell.   According  to  Eckenrode,  he  was  a  captain. 

Somers.  For  record  of  John  see  Lineage  Book  9,  D. 
A.  R. 

Spelts.  John,  called  "Continental  Jack"  fought  un- 
der McDowell.  Draper  had  conversations  with  him  in 
1844. 

Stamey.  John  is  said  to  have  been  in  the  battle.  He 
was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina,  1833. 

Steele.  William  was  killed.  John  Brown  and  Mich- 
ael Mahoney  were  the  only  others  of  Sevier's  regiment 
who  are  known  to  have  been  killed  at  King's  Mountain. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Maxwell,  and  his  son,  General  John 
Steel,  born  1764,  was  in  Congress  in  1789. 

Colonel  James  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  re- 
moved to  Union  district,  South  Carolina.  He  was  also 
at  Rocky  Mount,  Hanging  Rock,  Musgrove's  mill,  Cow- 
pens,  and  the  Snow  campaign  against  the  Cherokees. 
While  arresting  a  tory  in  1781,  he  was  stabbed  by  a  com- 
panion of  the  latter,  and  died  from  the  wound  a  week 
later. 

John  was  an  ensign  under  Campbell. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  227 


Stevenson.  John  was  under  Campbell  and  had  a 
bounty  warrant. 

Stewart.     James  was  a    justice    of    Washington    in 

1778.  Next  year  he  was  one  of  the  commissioners  to  lay 
off  the  town  of  Jonesboro.  At  King's  Mountain  he  was 
one  of  Sevier's  men. 

John  was  wounded  at  Point    Pleasant,    and    it    is 
claimed  he  was  at  King's  Mountain. 
William  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Stinson  (Stevenson.)  James  was  a  captain  under 
Sevier  and  saw  much  service  in  the  border  wars. 

Stockton.  John,  of  the  Maryland  Battalion,  was 
taken  prisoner  at  Long  Island  in  1776,  but  made  his  es- 
cape, and  it  is  claimed  he  was  one  of  Campbell's  men  at 
King's  Mountain;  also  that  a  brother  George  was  with 
him. 

William  was  living  in  Greene  County,  Tennessee,  in 

1779,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he  was  in  the 
battle,  serving  with  Sevier. 

Stone.  William  was  in  Been's  company.  He  help- 
ed to  drive  the  tories  under  Grimes  out  of  Watauga. 

Stovall.  Bartholemew  is  listed  by  Summers.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  McNairy  county,  Tennessee. 

Sword.    Michael  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Syles.  James  was  a  captain  under  Williams  and 
Lacy,  a  brave  soldier  and  excellent  officer,  much  esteem- 
ed by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  born  in  Virginia,  but 
finally  settled  in  Fairfield  district,  South  Carolina. 

Talbert.    Charles  is  listed  by  Summers. 

TaSbot.  Matthew  Sr.*  (1729-1812)  was  an  early 
Watauga  settler  coming  from  Bedford  county,  Virginia, 
and  the  Watauga  fort  was  built  on  his  land.  He  had  a 
share  in  the  border  wars.  By  his  first  wife,  Annie  Will- 
ston  of  Maryland,  he  had  Matthew,  James,  and  John.  By 
a  second  marriage  he  had  Isham  and  Martha.  Ramsay 
says  he  settled  in  1775  on  the  farm  owned  in  his  time  by 
Mrs.  Eva  Gillespie,  and  that  the  fort  was  built  on  a  high 
knoll  a  half-mile  from  Gap  Creek,  a  few  graves  and  a 
large  locust  identifying  the  spot.  It  would  be  a  sacrilege 
to  cut  down  this  tree,  standing  where  the  soldiery  of  Wa- 
tauga  assembled,  where   courts  were  held,   and   where 


228  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

justice  was  administered  under  a  self-constituted  legis- 
lature, executive,  and  judiciary.  When  the  King's 
Mountain  men  left  Sycamore  Shoals,  the  troops  passed 
along  Gap  Creek  and  encamped  the  first  night  at  the  mill 
of  Matthew  Talbot. 

Matthew  Jr.,  born  1769,  was  with  Colonel  Sevier. 
His  wife  was  Mrs.  Mary  Day,  her  maiden  name  being 
Hale,  and  she  had  one  son  by  her  first  marriage.  Her 
children  were  Mary,  Matthew,  Thomas,  William,  Ed- 
mund, and  Clayton.  William  married  Mary  Bailey,  and 
their  daughter,  Mary  Hale,  married  William  B.  Nunnal- 
ly  of  Georgia. 

James*  another  son  of  Matthew  Sr.,  married  Eliza- 
beth Smith. 

Thomas*  was  clerk  to  the  first  senate  of  Franklin. 

In  1787  William*  commanded  a  company  sent  by 
the  state  of  Franklin  to  aid  Davidson  county  against  the 
Chickamaugas. 

Tate.  John,  a  Virginia  soldier  was  pensioned  in 
Botetourt,  1833. 

Robert  and  Samuel  were  in  Been's  company  in  1778, 
and  were  then  justices  of  Washington.  At  King's  Moun- 
tain they  were  in  Sevier's  command. 

Samuel,  called  George  by  Draper,  was  born  near 
Vance's  Ferry  on  the  Santee,  and  died  there  1798.  He 
was  in  many  engagements,  and  had  service  under  Sum- 
ter.    He  was  a  brigade  major. 

Tatum.  James  was  in  the  battle  and  was  pension- 
ed in  Watauga  county,  North  Carolina. 

Taylor.  Andrew,  Jr.,  was  in  the  North  Carolina 
troops.  A  grandson  is  Walter  Pickens  Taylor  of  Knox- 
ville. 

Christopher  (1746-1833)  was  born  in  Bedford  coun- 
ty, Virginia,  and  moved  to  Washington  county,  Tennes- 
see. He  was  at  Point  Pleasant,  and  in  1778  was  a  cap- 
tain of  rangers.  He  supported  the  state  of  Franklin,  and 
represented  his  county  in  the  convention  at  Jonesboro. 
At  King's  Mountain  he  was  a  captain  under  Sevier. 

Isaac  was  also  at  Boyd's  Creek.  On  the  return  from 
King's  Mountain,  two  traders  brought  word  to  Sevier  that 
the  Cherokees  were  about  to  descend  on  the  Watauga. 
As  soon  as  the  Catawba  had  been  crossed  with  the  pris- 
oners, Captain  Russell  was  sent  ahead  and  found  the  in- 
formation correct. 

Leroy  was  also  at  Boyd's  Creek. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  229 

Teeter.    George  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Temple.    Major was  born  in  Chester  county, 

Pennsylvania,  in  1756,  and  moved  to  Mecklenburg,  North 
Carolina,  in  1766.  He  married  Mary,  a  daughter  of  Dan- 
iel Kennedy  of  Washington,  another  King's  Mountain  sol- 
dier, and  in  1786  moved  to  Greene  county,  Tennessee, 
where  he  was  a  large  landholder.  He  was  an  ancestor  of 
Miss  Mary  B.  Temple,  founder  of  the  Bonny  Kate  Chap- 
ter, D.  A.  R.,  Knoxville,  Tennessee. 

Terrell.  Richmond,  born  at  Charlottesville,  Vir- 
ginia, 1760,  died  in  Newton  county,  Georgia,  1856.  He 
married  Cecilia  Darracott,  and  his  son  Thomas  D.  mar- 
ried Sarah  Livingston. 

Micajah  and  William  were  in  the  battle.  See  Line- 
age Book  2,  D.  A.  R. 

Thompson.  Alexander  (1739-1815)  was  a  refugee 
to  Georgia  who  served  at  King's  Mountain.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Hodges,  1760  and  his  son  Alexander  married 
Emma  Strickland  1796.    See  Lineage  Book  45,  D.  A.  R. 

James,  a  captain,  was  under  McDowell. 

John,  of  York  distrct,  South  Carolina,  was  a  captain 
under  Williams.  He  was  also  at  Rocky  Mount,  Hanging 
Rock,  Fishing  Creek,  and  Cowpens. 

Tillman.  Philip,  a  Lincoln  man,  was  pensioned  in 
Lincoln  County,  North  Carolina,  1833. 

Tinsley.  Golding  was  born  in  Culpeper  about  1756 
and  died  in  Spartanburg  district,  South  Carolina,  in  1851. 
He  moved  to  South  Carolina  in  1771,  served  against  the 
tories,  and  fought  at  Stono,  Savannah,  Musgrove's  mill, 
and  Blackstock.  At  King's  Mountain  he  was  a  sharp- 
shooter under  Brandon.    He  was  pensioned. 

Tipton.  Jonathan  was  born  in  Frederick  county, 
1750,  and  died  in  Overton  county,  Tenessee,  in  1833.  In 
1777  he  was  a  major  in  Washington,  and  in  constant  war- 
fare against  tories  and  Indians.  He  directed  the  battle 
of  Flat  Rock  on  the  Nollichucky,  and  was  second  in  com- 
mand under  Sevier  at  King's  Mountain.  He  was  with 
Colonel  Arthur  in  the  Chilhowee  campaign,  and  in  1781 
went  with  Sevier  and  Shelby  to  help  General  Greene  in 
South  Carolina. 

William  was  a  captain  at  King's  Mountain.  See 
Lineage  Book  9,  D.  A.  R. 


230  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Todd.  For  record  of  James  see  Arthur's  History  of 
Watauga  County,  North  Carolina. 

Topp.  Roger  was  under  Campbell.  He  was  killed 
on  the  Cumberland  in  1783.  He  was  one  of  the  guards 
sent  to  a  bluff  with  the  North  Carolina  commissioners, 
and  was  shot  on  the  Dedrick  place. 

Tramwell.  For  record  of  William  see  Lineage  Book 
10,  D.  A.  R. 

Trimble.    Captain  Robert  is  listed  by  Summers. 

William  was  an  officer  in  1780  in  the  militia  of 
Washington  county,  Tennessee,  and  all  his  company  went 
to  King's  Mountain.    He  upheld  the  state  of  Franklin. 

Turniey.  George  was  in  Doherty's  company  of  Se- 
vier's regiment. 

Twitty.  William  was  born  in  South  Carolina  1761, 
lived  at  Twitty'^  Ford  on  Broad  River,  and  died  in  1816. 

Anthony,  an  older  brother  to  William,  was  under 
Williams.  Draper  tells  how  he  and  Lewis  Musick  captur- 
ed Ferguson's  cook  on  their  way  to  King's  Mountain. 

Vance.  David  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Vir- 
ginia, 1748,  early  removed  to  North  Carolina,  where  he 
taught  school  and  did  land  surveying.  In  the  war  he 
fought  at  Ramseur's  mill  and  Musgrove's  mill,  as  well  as 
King's  Mountain.  He  served  in  the  state  legislature.  In 
1797  he  was  living  in  Buncombe,  was  a  colonel  of  militia, 
and  was  one  of  the  commissioners  to  run  the  boundary 
between  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  He  died  in  1820. 
He  married  a  Miss  Brank.  Among  his  children  were  Dr. 
Robert  Brank  Vance  and  David  Vance.  The  latter,  who 
married  Margaret  Myra  Baird,  was  the  mother  of  Zebu- 
Ion  B.  Vance,  born  1830.  He  was  an  officer  in  the  Con- 
federate army  and  governor  of  North  Carolina. 

James,  an  ensign,  was  an  officer  of  the  Washington 
militia,  and  is  thought  to  have  been  a  son  of  William  K., 
whose  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Charles  Robertson. 

John  was  wounded  toward  the  close  of  the  battle. 
He  was  a  lieutenant  under  Campbell. 

Samuel  (1754-1830)  enlisted  from  Washington  coun- 
ty, Virginia,  for  Point  Pleasant  and  King's  Mountain,  and 
was  pensioned  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  as  a  ser- 
geant. His  wife  was  Margaret  Laughlin.  Their  daugh- 
ter Margaret  married  Abram  Fulkerson,  and  descendants 
are  in  Alabama. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  231 

Waddell.  John  was  a  settler  on  Watauga  in  1775, 
and  his  son  John  continued  to  live  on  his  landgrant. 

Martin*,  also  an  early  settler,  was  pensioned  in 
Greene  county,  Tennessee,  1833,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
one. 

Walker.  William  of  Rutherford  county  was  pen- 
sioned in  North  Carolina. 

Wallace.  Captain  Andrew  of  the  8th  Virginia  was 
killed  at  Guilford,  1781.  According  to  Waddell's  Annals 
of  Augusta,  he  and  Thomas  Bowyer  were  present  at 
King's  Mountain  and  reported  killed. 

Walton.     William   (1736-1806)  was    one    of    John 

Brown's  mounted  riflemen.  He  was  drafted  in  1780  into 
Captain  John  Loving's  company  of  Virginia  men.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Tolman.  His  son  John  was  also  at 
King's  Mountain.  He  was  born  1767  and  died  1844.  He 
married  Justina  Ginnerick.  See  Lineage  Book  37,  D.  A. 
K. 

Ward.  David,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Tazewell 
and  one  of  the  best  fighters  in  the  border  warfare,  was  at 
Point  Pleasant  and  at  King's  Mountain  was  under  Cap- 
tain Reese  Bowen. 

William,  a  brother,  was  also  at  King's  Mountain  and 
received  a  landgrant. 

Watson.  David  was  a  coroner  of  Washington  coun- 
ty, Virginia. 

John  was  pensioned  in  Rockbridge  in  1833. 

Samuel  (1740-1781)  was  born  in  Virginia,  moved  to 
South  Carolina  1776,  fought  at  Blackstock,  Musgrove's 
mill,  and  King's  Mountain,  and  was  killed  at  Cowpens. 
His  wife  was  Frances  Lewis.  His  son  Hezekiah  married 
Mary  Holmes,  and  his  grandson  Arthur  Holmes  Watson 
married  Frances  O'Hara. 

William,  a  soldier  under  Brandon  and  Steen,  was 
badly  wounded  but  lived  till  1854,  when  he  was  ninety- 
five. 

Wear.  Samuel,  an  early  settler  on  the  Nollichucky, 
was  a  captain  under  Sevier  and  a  major  in  the  war  of 
1812.  He  was  also  in  Arthur  Campbell's  Cherokee  ex- 
pedition. He  was  large  in  body  and  mind,  of  strong 
character,  a  good  neighbor,  and  a  kind,  loving  father  and 
husband.    He  lived  to  be  old,  and  was  buried  near  Hen- 


232  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

derson  Springs  in  Sevier  county.  By  his  first  wife,  Mary- 
Thompson,  he  had  six  children.  His  second  was  Mary, 
daughter  of  John  Gilliland,  also  a  King's  Mountain  man. 
John,  a  brother,  served  under  him.  He  was  pen- 
sioned as  a  private  in  1833,  when  seventy-nine. 

Weaver.  John  was  under  Sevier.  He  was  an  early 
settler  on  the  Nollichucky,  and  his  name  occurs  in  the 
early  records  as  juryman  and  assessor.  He  was  pension- 
ed as  a  private  in  White  county,  Tennessee,  in  1833  when 
seventy-five. 

Webb.  George  was  a  man  of  affairs  on  Watauga. 
in  1778  he  sold  540  acres  and  then  bought  640,  proving 
each  transaction  by  the  oath  of  David  Webb.  He  was  on 
the  grand  jury  in  the  examination  of  the  Tory  Dykes. 
Webb  was  the  first  settler  in  Greasy  Cove,  a  company  of 
Indians  following  him  to  his  cabin  and  threatening  to  kill 
him  if  he  remained  there.  He  gathered  up  some  more 
settlers  and  was  not  molested.  George  or  David,  prob- 
ably the  former,  was  the  Captain  Webb  of  Shelby's  regi- 
ment. 

Weir.  John  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1743,  where  he 
married  a  Miss  McKelvey.  After  the  birth  of  their  oldest 
son  they  settled  at  Wier's  Bridge  in  Gaston  county,  North 
Carolina.  In  the  Revolution  he  was  a  scout  and  then  a 
captain.  When  he  heard  the  firing  at  King's  Mountain 
he  hurried  there  with  his  men,  but  the  engagement  closed 
a  few  minutes  before  his  arrival.  Just  before  Cowpens 
he  was  severely  beaten  by  tories.  His  wife  was  also 
beaten  because  she  would  not  tell  where  he  was.  He  died 
in  1819  aged  seventy-six. 

Wells.  Joseph  was  under  Shelby  at  Chickamauga 
and  King's  Mountain. 

Welchiel.  Dr.  John  served  under  Colonel  Williams 
of  South  Carolina.  In  his  pension  declaration  he  states 
that  Williams  was  killed  after  the  enemy  had  raised  the 
white  flag. 

Whit.  Charles  of  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina, 
was  pensioned  there. 

White.  Benjamin  was  under  Campbell  and  was 
pensioned  1832. 

Isaac,  James,  and  Thomas  were  born  in  Pennsylvania 
moved  to  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina  in  1779,  and 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  233 

were  pensioned  in  Illinois.  James  was  a  captain,  and 
the  others  were  lieutenants. 

Joseph,  a  captain  under  McDowell,  was  wounded. 
He  was  pensioned  in  Lincoln  county,  Kentucky. 

Richard  was  a  justice  of  Washington  county,  1778- 
82,  and  it  is  probable  that  he  was  one  of  Sevier's  officers 
at  King's  Mountain.  He  passed  sentence  on  some  tories 
in  1778. 

William  was  under  Lacy.  His  pension  declaration 
states  that  Colonel  Williams  was  shot  after  the  white 
flag  was  raised.    He  was  pensioned  1833. 

Whitesides.  John  died  in  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois, 
1793,  where  his  brother  William,  also  at  King's  Mountain, 
built  Whitesides  Station  in  Monroe  county,  on  the  road 
from  Cahokia  to  Kaskaskia.  William,  their  father,  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Stockton  in  Ireland  and  settled  in  Tryon 
county,  North  Carolina. 

Whitten.     Solomon  was  under  Campbell. 
John  was  also  in  the  battle  and  was  pensioned  in 
1833. 

Wiley.  Alexander  lived  near  the  head  of  the  Clinch, 
and  was  a  lieutenant  under  Campbell.  In  1789  his  home 
was  raided  by  Indians,  who  captured  Mrs.  Wiley  and  the 
youngest  child  and  scalped  four  others.  Mrs.  Wiley  es- 
caped. 

Wilfong.  John  was  born  April  8,  1762,  and  died 
1838.  He  enlisted  in  McDowell's  regiment  under  Cap- 
tain Sigman  and  Lieutenant  Van  Horn.  He  was  wound- 
ed in  the  left  arm  at  King's  Mountain,  and  went  home 
the  day  after  the  battle,  but  was  at  Eutaw.  He  mar- 
ried Hannah  Sigmore,  and  his  son  John  married  Lavina 
Sumay. 

Williams.  Daniel  (1747-18z7)  was  a  captain  under 
Marion,  and  was  present  at  King's  Mountain.  He  was 
born  in  Wilmington  county,  North  Carolina,  and  died  in 
Dickson  county,  Tennessee,  where  descendants  live.  He 
married  Sarah  Nixon.  His  daughter  Janette  married 
Henry  C.  Napier. 

Colonel  James  was  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Ursula,  and 
was  born  in  Hanover  county,  Virginia,  moving  to  Green- 
ville district,  South  Carolina  in  1772,  where  he  was  a 
farmer  and  merchant.  He  fought  against  the  Cherokees, 
and    at   Brier   Creek,   Stono,   Savannah,   Rocky   Mount] 


234  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Hanging  Rock,  and  Musgrove's  mill.  He  was  mortally 
wounded  at  King's  Mountain  after  the  enemy  had  raised 
the  white  flag.  Colonel  Williams  married  a  Miss  Clark 
in  1762  and  left  five  sons  and  three  daughters.  He  was 
a  jurist  as  were  also  his  cousins,  Colonel  Joseph  Wil- 
liams and  Colonel  Richard  Henderson. 

Samuel  was  born  in  North  Carolina  1733  and  died 
in  Tennessee  in  1788.  He  was  a  captain  under  Sevier. 
His  wife  was  Mary  Magdalene .  His  son  Sam- 
uel married  Margaret  Crogan. 

Wilson.  Robert  and  Joseph  were  in  the  North  Caro- 
lina line.  Robert  married  Jane,  daughter  of  William  and 
Ellen  McDowell.  Jane  and  her  mother  went  to  the  bat- 
tlefield to  care  for  the  sick  and  dying.  It  is  said  that  the 
father  gave  Jane  to  Robert  Wilson  on  account  of  the 
bravery  of  the  latter. 

Mrs.  Eleanor,  wife  of  Robert  Wilson,  Sr.,  was  a 
courageous  hero  of  the  Revolution,  and  the  mother  of 
eleven  sons,  several  of  whom  were  at  Musgrove's  mill  and 
King's  Mountain.  About  1792  all  the  sons  moved  to  Ten- 
nessee. It  is  said  that  Robert  was  the  first  man  to  cross 
the  Cumberland  Mountains  with  a  wagon. 

Captain  Joseph  was  a  justice  of  Washington  in  1778, 
and  pronounced  judgment  against  the  tory  Moses  Craw- 
ford, who  was  to  undergo  imprisonment  during  the  rest 
of  the  war.  Joseph  was  at  King's  Mountain  under  Se- 
vier. 

Zaccheus  was  a  signer  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  a  member  of  the  provincial  congress 
of  1776,  and  at  the  convention  of  1788  he  refused  to  give 
his  approval  to  the  Federal  Constitution  on  the  ground 
that  it  did  not  afford  proper  protection  to  the  rights  of 
the  people.  He  led  his  company  to  King's  Mountain.  In 
1792  he  was  surveyor  of  Cabarrus  county.  He  was  born 
near  Newville,  Pennsylvania,  but  finally  settled  in  Sum- 
ner county,  Tennessee.  He  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Con- 
ger Ross,  and  had  two  sons,  Stephen  and  Jonathan.  A 
marker  was  placed  on  his  grave  at  the  request  of  the 
Eleanor  Wilson  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

Willoughby.  Matthew  was  in  Beatty's  company  of 
Campbell's  regiment.  He  moved  to  Lincoln  county,  Ken- 
tucky. 

William  was  a  lieutenant  under  the  same  Beattie, 
and  also  located  land  in  Lincoln  in  1831  by  bounty  war- 
rant. 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  235 

Winston.  Major  Joseph  was  born  in  Louisa  county, 
Virginia,  in  1746.  In  1763  he  joined  a  company  of  rang- 
ers under  Phillips,  who  with  Captain  George  Moffett  were 
drawn  into  an  ambuscade  at  Mann's  fort  on  Jackson's 
River  and  severely  defeated.  Winston's  horse  was  shot 
under  him,  and  he  was  badly  wounded,  concealing  him- 
self under  bushes.  Here  he  was  found  by  a  friend  and 
taken  to  a  cabin.  The  ball  was  not  extracted  and  caused 
him  to  suffer  for  some  time  afterward.  In  1769  he  mov- 
ed to  what  is  now  Stokes  county,  North  Carolina,  and  was 
a  member  of  the  Hillsboro  convention.  In  1780  he  served 
under  Davidson  against  Bryan's  tories  and  under  Cleve- 
land on  New  River.  At  King's  Mountain  he  commanded 
a  portion  of  the  right  wing  and  was  voted  a  handsome 
sword  by  the  legislature  of  North  Carolina,  receiving  also 
other  honors.  He  was  present  at  Guilford.  He  died  1815, 
and  there  are  many  descendants.  The  family  was  relat- 
ed to  Patrick  Henry. 

Wither.  Elisha  of  the  Lincoln  men  was  pensioned  in 
North  Carolina. 

Witherspoon.  David  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  1758, 
and  died  while  on  a  visit  to  South  Carolina  in  1828.  He 
was  a  lieutenant  under  Cleveland  at  King's  Mountain  and 
in  the  border  fighting. 

John,  a  brother,  was  born  1760,  and  was  a  private  in 
the  same  command.  After  the  war  he  represented  Stokes 
two  years  in  the  legislature.  He  died  in  Wayne  county, 
Tennessee,  in  1839. 

These  brothers  were  related  to  John  Witherspoon, 
president  of  Princeton  College. 

Withrow.  James  was  born  in  Virginia,  1746,  and 
died  in  1836.  He  moved  to  Rutherford  county  and  serv- 
ed under  Hampton,  being  present  also  at  Stono  and 
Blackstock,  and  against  the  tories  and  Indians.  He  serv- 
ed eight  years  in  the  North  Carolina  legislature. 

Wood.  Jonathan  was  born  in  Loudon  county,  Vir- 
ginia, 1744,  and  died  in  Russell  county,  1804.  He  was 
with  Campbell's  men.  He  married  Mary  Osborn,  and 
his  son  Jonathan  married  Patsy  Saylor. 

Samuel,   a   captain   under  McDowell,   was   born  in 
Albemarle,  Virginia,  1735,  and  died  in  Lincoln  county 
Kentucky,  1825. 

Woolsey.     Thomas  was  under  Campbell.     He  was 


236  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

perhaps  the  same  as  Thomas,  a  Baptist  preacher  of  Wash- 
ington county,  Virginia,  in  1780-81. 

Womack.  Jacob  was  on  the  Watauga  in  1772  and 
he  signed  the  Halifax  petition.  He  served  under  Sevier. 
He  became  a  major,  and  was  a  justice  of  Washington, 
1778-80.  Womack's  Station  was  about  three  miles  from 
the  Virginia  line. 

Word.  Charles  served  under  Washington  in  the 
early  wars,  and  was  killed  at  King's  Mountain  at  the  age 
of  forty.  Four  brothers,  Thomas,  John,  Peter,  and  Cuth- 
bert,  were  in  the  war,  and  some  if  not  all  of  them  were 
at  King's  Mountain. 

Wynn.  William  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1753,  and 
was  in  the  battle  under  Campbell.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Dabney  Anderson,  and  a  daughter  married  Sam- 
uel Tucker  Woodson.  The  Wynns  were  very  early  set- 
tlers in  Hanover  county,  Virginia. 

Yeary.    Henry  is  listed  by  Summers. 

Yontz.     George  is  also  listed  by  Summers. 

Young.  Robert  was  one  of  Sevier's  riflemen.  Ac- 
cording to  James  and  George  Sevier,  George  Wilson,  and 
Thomas  Shelby,  Young  was  the  slayer  of  Ferguson.  John 
Gilleland,  who  was  wounded  and  nearly  giving  out,  drew 
Young's  attention  to  Ferguson  and  asked  him  to  shoot  the 
British  commander.  'Til  try  and  see  what  Sweet-lips  can 
do,"  replied  Young  as  he  fired,  Ferguson  falling  from  his 
horse.  But  Ferguson  had  six  or  eight  wounds,  one  of 
them  in  the  head. 

Thomas  was  under  Williams  and  Brandon.  His 
uncle  McCreary  was  a  prisoner  of  the  British  on  Edisto 
Island.  The  wife,  for  fear  her  husband  would  be  hang- 
ed, made  her  young  son  Matthew  join  Ferguson.  "Just 
after  we  reached  the  hill,"  said  Thomas  Young,  "Matt- 
hew discovered  me,  and  ran  from  the  British  line,  and 
threw  his  arms  around  me  for  joy.  I  told  him  to  get  a 
gun  and  fight."  Whether  he  did  or  not  is  an  unsolved 
question. 

James  and  William  were  under  Campbell.  In  1773 
James  was  at  the  head  of  the  Middle  Fork  of  Holston. 
He  received  a  pension  in  1825,  William  a  bounty  war- 
rant. 


ADDITIONAL 

Alexander.  James  was  born  in  Rowan  county,  N.  C, 
1756,  entered  the  army  from  Lincoln,  was  at  King's 
Mountain  under  Campbell,  died  in  Buncombe  June  28, 
1814.  Wife,  Rhoda,  daughter  of  Humphrey  Cunning- 
ham, born  1758,  was  living  1840. 

Anderson.  George  (1740-1808)  was  from  Laurens 
county,  South  Carolina.  Was  a  major  and  lost  a  leg  in 
the  battle.  Married  Mollie  Saxon,  and  his  son  William 
married  Annie  Coker.    Died  in  Anderson  county,  S.  C. 

William,  born  1766,  enlisted  from  Botetourt.  Was 
also  at  Cowpens,  and  Eutaw.  Wounded  in  thigh  at  King's 
Mountain.  Five  years  service,  including  three  months 
guarding  lead  mines  in  Wythe.  Applied  for  pension  in 
Davidson  county,  Tennessee,  1839.  Affirmation  by  Colo- 
nel John  Nesbitt  of  Dickson  county. 

Brown.  John,  born  in  Spartanburg  county,  South 
Carolina,  1765,  enlisted  under  his  father  Andrew  Brown, 
was  at  King's  Mountain  under  Colonel  Roebuck,  and 
moved  to  Jefferson  county,  Alabama,  where  his  widow 
Jincey  applied  for  pension,  1853,  when  fifty-eight. 

Campbell.  John,  born  1743,  died  1808  at  Abingdon, 
Virginia.  Commanded  a  company  from  Washington 
county,  Virginia,  and  was  also  at  Guilford.  Married 
Ruth  Edmondson,  and  his  son  Richard  married  Catharine 
Lewis. 

Carr.  William  enlisted  from  Mecklenburg  county, 
North  Carolina,  1775,  was  at  King's  Mountain  under  Cap- 
tain Wallace,  and  also  at  Musgrove's  mill.  Applied  for 
pension  1832  in  Sullivan  county,  Tennessee. 

Choat  (Shoat).  Greenbury  was  born  in  Virginia 
1751,  enlisted  from  Washington  county,  Tenn.,  1779,  was 
at  King's  Mountain  under  Captain  George  Russell.  Ap- 
plied for  pension  in  1833  from  Johnson  county,  Illinois. 

Cobb.  Pharoah  was  born  in  Northampton  county, 
North  Carolina,  1752,  enlisted  in  Watauga  settlement 
1776,  was  under  Shelby  at  Musgrove's  mill  and  King's 


238  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


Mountain.      Pensioned   in   Hawkins   county,   Tennessee, 
1832. 

Cross.  Zachreah  was  born  1761,  enlisted  from  Sul- 
livan county,  Tennessee,  1777,  serving  till  1781.  Died  in 
Wayne  county,  Illinois,  1833.  Married  Esther  Johnson  of 
Logan  county,  Kentucky,  1792,  who  died  184 — .  Pension 
granted  to  surviving  children :  Rachel  McDonald,  Wil- 
liam, Mary  Punkhouse,  Edna  Reeves,  James,  Oliver,  Rob- 
ert. 

Culbertson.  Robert  was  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  1750,  enlisted  from  Caswell  county,  North 
Carolina,  1780,  and  fought  at  Camden,  King's  Mountain, 
and  Cowpens.  Applied  for  pension  in  Laurens  district, 
South  Carolina,  1832. 

Duckworth.  John  was  born  in  Virginia  1759  and 
died  in  Burke  county,  North  Carolina,  1843.  Enlisted 
1776.  Was  also  at  Ramseur's  mill,  where  he  was  wound- 
ed in  left  shoulder.  Only  surviving  child  was  Alexander 
of  Morganton,  North  Carolina. 

Feimster.  William,  born  1725-1759  in  York  district, 
South  Carolina,  died  in  Iredell  county,  North  Carolina 
1842,  was  also  at  Ramseur's  mill  and  Musgrove's  mill. 
Pensioned  as  a  private  in  South  Carolina.  First  wife  was 
Mary  Sharp,  second  was  Margaret  King. 

Floyd.  John  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  county, 
North  Carolina,  1758,  enlisted  1776,  was  also  at  Mus- 
grove's mill,  Blackstock,  and  Guilford,  and  was  pensioned 
as  private.    Married  Anne  Anderson  and  died  1830. 

Gaines.  James  was  born  in  Culpeper  1741,  died 
1830,  at  Kingsport,  Tennessee.  Was  at  Musgrove's  mill 
and  Cowpens,  commanded  a  company  at  Guilford,  and  is 
said  to  have  been  at  King's  Mountain.  Married  Eliza- 
beth Southers  of  Carter  county,  Tennessee. 

Gaston.  William  was  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  1757,  died  in  Marion  county,  Illinois,  1838. 
Enlisted  from  Chester  district,  South  Carolina,  was  at 
King's  Mountain  under  Lacy,  and  was  in  other  engage- 
ments. Pension  granted  to  Mary,  widow.  Children : 
John,  William,  Annie  R.  Rainey. 

Gibbs.  Nicholas,  said  to  have  been  at  King's  Moun- 
tain, received  a  landgrant  from  North  Carolina  for  ser- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  239 

vice  in  the  Continental  line.    This  record  is  in  Book  B,  No. 
2,  Register's  office,  Knoxville,  Tenn. 

Gray.  James  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia, 
1755,  enlisted  in  the  "Liberty  Men"  from  Rutherford 
county,  North  Carolina,  served  under  Cleveland,  and  ap- 
plied for  pension  in  Rutherford,  1832. 

Guest.  Moses  was  born  1750  in  Fauquier  county, 
Virginia,  and  died  in  Franklin  county,  Georgia,  1837. 
Was  at  King's  Mountain  under  Cleveland,  enlisting  from 
Wilkes  county.  Children  by  first  wife :  Susan  Hall,  Eliza- 
beth Maberry,  Joseph.  Married  Eleanor  York  of  Frank- 
lin county,  Georgia,  1829,  who  died  1866.  Claim  allow- 
ed 1833. 

Hampton.  Joel  enlisted  from  Wilkes  county,  North 
Carolina,  1779,  and  was  in  service  till  1783,  fighting  at 
King's  Mountain  and  in  other  battles.  Died  in  Logan 
county,  Kentucky,  1832.  Married  Hannah  Mitchell 
1783,  who  applied  for  pension.  Her  sisters  were  Peni- 
nah  Mitchell  and  Temperance  Greer,  her  living  children 
were  James,  Joshua,  William,  Andrew,  Sally,  Ally,  and 
Hannah. 

Helms.  John  was  born  in  Botetourt  1761,  applied 
for  pension  in  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina  1833,  and 
died  1838.  Served  from  1775  to  1781.  Married  Annie 
Okerman  of  Rowan  county,  about  1783,  widow  receiving 
pension.  Children :  John,  Jacob,  Peter,  Amy,  Eliza,  Bar- 
ley, born,  respectively,  1788,  1793,  1798,  1800,  1803, 
1810. 

Henry.  Joseph  served  under  Captain  Samuel  Mar- 
tin of  Chronicle's  battalion,  and  was  pensioned  in  Bun- 
combe county,  1832,  when  about  seventy. 

Joseph  enlisted  from  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina, 
was  wounded  at  King's  Mountain,  and  was  in  other  en- 
gagements. Applied  for  pension  1844  in  Carroll  county, 
Indiana,  when  eighty-eight.    Granted  to  widow,  Mary. 

John  and  Moses,  brothers  to  second  Joseph,  were 
killed  at  King's  Mountain. 

Houston.  James,  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia, 
1757  was  pensioned  in  Blount  county,  Tennessee,  1832. 
Enlisted  1776,  was  at  King's  Mountain  under  Campbell, 
moved  to  Tennessee,  and  was  a  member  of  its  first  Con- 
stitutional Convention.  Built  Houston  Station  on  Little 
River,  six  miles  north  of  Maryville.     Son  of  Samuel  and 


240  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Elizabeth  (McCroskey)  Houston.  First  wife,  Esther, 
daughter  of  Matthew,  an  uncle.  Second  wife,  Polly  Gil- 
lespie. 

Johnson.  Samuel  was  a  lieutenant  at  King's  Moun- 
tain under  Captain  Joel  Lewis,  and  was  wounded,  being 
pensioned  therefor  by  North  Carolina  about  1798.  Mar- 
ried Mary  Hammons  in  Wilkes  county,  1781,  who  applied 
for  federal  pension.  Her  father  was  William,  a  Baptist 
minister.  The  father  of  Samuel  was  Jeffrey,  who  died 
in  Wilkes  county.  Ambrose,  a  son  of  Samuel.  Affidavits 
by  Jesse  Franklin  of  Surry  county,  James  Gray  of  Wilkes, 
Sterling  Rose  of  Wilkes,  John  Sparks  of  Wilkes,  William 
Spicer,  of  Wilkes,  Nancy  Gambell,  George  Johnson,  a 
cousin  and  son  of  William  Johnson. 

Jones.  Joshua  was  born  1764,  and  died  in  Knox 
county,  Tennessee,  1840.  Was  under  Captain  Joel  Lewis 
at  King's  Mountain,  was  wounded  in  the  left  arm  and 
side,  and  taken  to  his  home  in  Wilkes.  Wife,  Valencia. 
Applied  for  pension,  1832. 

Kelly.  John  of  Fairfield  district,  South  Carolina, 
was  under  Hampton,  and  died  in  Fairfield  in  1842.  Hamp- 
ton and  Frost  were  sons. 

Willaim  was  born  in  Union  district,  South  Carolina, 
1757,  was  also  in  battle  of  Stony  Point,  and  applied  for 
pension  in  McMinn  county,  Tennessee,   1832.     Married 

Elizabeth in  1817-82,  to    whom    pension    was 

granted.  Children:  Joshua,  Rockwell,  Nancy,  Esther, 
Jane,  Judah,  Dinah,  Daniel,  William,  Alcey,  Richard,  Eli- 
zabeth, Samuel,  John. 

Lane.  Aquila  was  born  1755,  served  under  Shelby, 
and  died  1819.  In  1780  married  in  Washington  county, 
Tennessee,  Agnes  Fitzgerald,  born  1763.  Children :  Es- 
ther, Garrett,  Ransom,  James,  Theny,  born,  respectively, 
1782,  1784,  1786,  1789,  1791.  Samuel,  brother  to  Aquila, 
was  too  young  for  service. 

Long.  Robert  was  born  in  county  Antrim,  Ireland, 
about  1763,  and  was  pensioned  in  Laurens  district,  South 
Carolina,  1832.  In  service,  1778-80.  His  father's  people 
were  Covenanters  and  fled  to  Ireland  in  the  reign  of  Char- 
les II. 

Love.  John  was  born  in  Brunswick  county,  Virginia, 
1762,  and  was  pensioned  1832,  when    living    in    Wilkes 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  241 

county,  North  Carolina.  Was  at  King's  Mountain  under 
Cleveland,  a  substitute  for  his  father,  James. 

McCorkle.  Francis  was  born  in  Scotland  1740,  and 
died  in  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  1802.  He  was  also  at 
Ramseur's  mill  and  Cowpens.  He  married  Sarah  Work 
in  Rowan  county  and  had  five  children.  He  was  over 
six  feet  tall  and  had  red  hair  and  a  florid  complexion. 

McGaughey.  Samuel  was  born  in  York  county, 
Pennsylvania,  1763,  and  died  in  Lawrence  county,  Ala- 
bama, 1842.  He  served  1778-91,  being  also  at  Eutaw, 
Tiger  River,  Pacolet  River,  and  on  scout  duty.  Widow 
applied  for  pension  in  1842. 

McLain.  John  was  born  1760  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
died  in  Rabun  county,  Georgia,  1844.  He  served  1775-81, 
and  was  also  at  siege  of  Ninety-Six.     He  married  Mary 

in  1748,  who    died    1844.      Children:    David, 

John,  Charles,  Ephraim  E.,  James  N.,  Margaret  McLure, 
Jane  Porter,  Ann,  widow  of  Alexander  Mouldin.  Appli- 
ed for  pension  for  North  Carolina  Service,  1834. 

Massengale.  Henry  was  born  1758,  enlisted  in 
North  Carolina,  served  two  years  five  months,  and  died 
in  Sullivan  county,  Tennessee,  in  1837,  where  he  married 
Elizabeth  Emmart,  to  whom  pension  was  allowed. 

Michael  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  North 
Carolina,  1756,  and  applied  for  pension  in  Grainger 
county,  Tennessee,  1832.  He  lived  on  the  Watauga  in 
the  Revolution,  and  was  also  at  Musgrove's  mill  and 
Blackstock. 

Martin.  Samuel  was  born  in  Ireland  1752,  and  died 
in  Lincoln  county,  North  Carolina  1836.  He  was  at  Big- 
gin's bridge,  siege  of  Charleston,  King's  Mountain,  and 
Eutaw.  His  children  were  Jane,  Margaret  Kerr,  Thomas, 
George  (wife  Martha),  Joseph.  Grandchildren  were 
June  Martin,  William  Kerr,  Rev.  William  Martin.  Pen- 
sion allowed,  1833. 

Mayes.  Samuel  was  born  in  Sumter  district,  South 
Carolina,  1759,  and  died  in  Maury  county,  Tennessee, 
184 — .  He  was  at  Savannah,  Cowpens,  King's  Mountain, 
and  Blackstock.     His  wife  was  Mary  Frieson. 

Newton.  Benjamin  was  born  in  Caroline  county, 
Virginia,  1752,  enlisted  from  Caswell  county,  North  Caro- 


842  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

lina,  was  at  Cowpens,  King's  Mountain,  and  Yorktown, 
and  applied  for  pension  in  Norris  county,  Kentucky. 

Prather.  Thomas  was  a  private  under  Cleveland 
and  applied  for  pension  in  Jackson  county,  Indiana,  1823. 
Basil  was  a  son. 

Pruitt.  Martin  enlisted  in  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia and  served  two  years.  He  was  pensioned  at  Madi- 
son, Illinois,  where  he  died  1841,  aged  ninety-two.  Mar- 
ried in  North  Carolina,  1771,  Martha  Woods  (died  1807.) 

Reed.  John  enlisted  in  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia, served  as  an  express,  was  at  King's  Mountain  and 
Guilford,  and  died  1826.  The  widow  Keziah  was  allow- 
ed pension  in  1844,  and  in  1849,  when  eighty-two,  was  liv- 
ing at  Tulip,  Texas.  The  only  surviving  child  was  Mrs. 
Charles  H.  Smith. 

Reeves.  Asher  was  born  in  Virginia,  1757,  and  died 
in  Ohio.  He  enlisted  from  Wilkes  county,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  applied  for  pension  in  1833. 

Reynolds.  Elisha  died  in  Wilkes  county,  North  Caro- 
lina, 1836,  and  was  in  service  1776-81.  In  1786  he  mar- 
ried Judith  Edwards,  who  was  allowed  pension  184 — . 

Riggs.  Bethiel  was  born  at  Towbridge,  New  Jersey, 
1757,  and  enlisted  in  that  state,  1776.  He  moved  to  Wil- 
kes county,  North  Carolina,  and  took  Cleveland's  place 
at  King's  Mountain,  when  the  latter  was  wounded.  Af- 
ter the  battle  his  company  guarded  the  prisoners  to  the 
Moravian  town.     He  was  a  Baptist  minister. 

Sarter  (Sorter).  William  was  at  Blackstock,  King's 
Mountain,  and  Cowpens,  and  died  in  Union  district,  South 
Carolina,  leaving  a  large  family,  one  of  whom  was 
Thomas.    The  widow  applied  for  pension  in  1839. 

Smith.  David  was  born  in  Anson  county,  North 
Carolina,  1753,  was  at  King's  Mountain  and  the  siege 
of  Augusta,  and  died  in  Harris  county,  Texas,  1835.  He 
was  first  married  to  Sarah  Terry  of  Virginia,  who  died 
1772,  and  in  Kentucky,  1791,  he  married  Obedience  Fort 
of  North  Carolina,  who  died  1847.  His  son  Jackson,  ap- 
plied for  pension,  1852. 

Edward  served  1775-81.  After  the  battle  of  King's 
Mountain  he  and  William  Snodgrass  were  sent  back  to 
direct  the  militia  following  on  foot  to  halt,  which  they 
did.     In  Washington  county,  Virginia,  he  married  Han- 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  243 

nah  Crabtree,  1787,  to  whom  pension  was  allowed. 
When  living  in  Estill  county,  Kentucky,  1856,  and  eighty- 
eight  years  old,  she  applied  for  bounty  land. 

Starnes  (Starns.)  Nicholas  enlisted  under  Arthur 
Campbell  in  1775  for  service  against  tories  and  Indians 
on  New  River.  After  King's  Mountain,  where  he  was 
under  William  Campbell,  the  wounded  were  placed  in  his 
care.  Later  the  same  fall  he  served  against  the  Chero- 
kees,  the  expedition  burning  sixteen  towns.  He  was  born 
in  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  1756,  and  at  the  beginning  of 
the  Revolution  the  family  were  in  Washington  county, 
Virginia.  He  married  Barbara  Winters,  1816,  in  Rhea 
county,  Tennessee,  and  died  1835.  Pension  was  allowed 
the  widow. 

Steele.  Joseph  was  born  in  Ireland  1759,  and  died 
in  York  county,  South  Carolina  in  1795.  He  was  in  Mar- 
ion's brigade,  and  at  King's  Mountain  under  Lacy. 

Stribling.  Clayton  was  in  service  1777-83,  and  was 
under  Brandon  at  King's  Mountain.     He  was  born  1762, 

and  married  Margaret 1787,  who  applied  for 

pension  1850,  when  eighty-three.  He  died  1831.  The 
children  were  Thomas,  John,  Elizabeth,  Samuel,  Lucy, 
Fanny,  Mary,  Nancy.  Thomas  was  the  only  soldier  of 
that  name,  according  to  the  Pension  Office. 

Taylor.  Isaac  was  born  1757,  and  died  in  Carter 
county,  Tennessee,  1844.  He  enlisted  1780,  was  in  seve- 
ral other  battles,  and  in  1781  was  a  lieutenant.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Brown,  1814,  who  was  allowed  pension 
when  seventy  years  old. 

Andrew  was  a  private  in  David  McNabb's  company 
of  Sevier's  regiment.  He  was  born  1765  and  was  pen- 
sioned in  Carter  county,  Tennessee,  1832. 

James  substituted  in  Surry  county,  North  Carolina, 
serving  in  the  Third  North  Carolina.  In  1796  he  moved 
to  Blount  county,  where  pension  was  allowed  1832. 

Topp.    Roger  and  five  brothers  were  in  the  battle. 

Utterly.  William  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  died 
in  Wake  county  North  Carolina  1794.  He  served  under 
Colonels  Hunter  and  Cleveland  at  Cowpens,  King's  Moun- 
tain, and  Guilford. 

Wallace.  Thomas  was  born  in  Maryland  1745,  and 
died  in  Montgomery  county,  Alabama,  1830.     He  served 


244  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

under  Shelby.  He  married  Rebecca  Milligan,  who  ap- 
plied for  pension  1839,  and  died  1840  aged  ninety-one. 
The  children,  Joel,  Thomas,  William,  and  Ruth,  died  be- 
fore 1862. 

Walling.  William  was  at  King's  Mountain  and 
served  24  months  between  1777  and  1781,  being  pension- 
ed in  Sullivan  county,  Tennessee,  in  1832,  when  73  years 
old.  After  the  Revolution  he  served  18  months  against 
the  Indians. 

Walton.  William  enlisted  in  Wilkes  county  with  his 
father  William  in  John  Brown's  company.  In  the  severe 
winter  of  1779-80  there  was  wheat  in  the  mountains,  and 
he  was  drafted  by  Captain  Loving  to  pack  it  to  the  mills 
to  be  ground  into  flour  for  the  army.  A  wagon  could  not 
be  used  and  the  grain  was  carried  by  sled  or  packsaddle. 
He  was  thinly  clad  and  barefoot  much  of  the  time.  With 
his  father  he  volunteered  for  service  in  South  Carolina, 
and  was  present  at  the  defeat  of  Gates.  He  applied  for 
pension  in  Green  county,  Alabama,  1833,  when  sixty-six. 

Welchel.  John  was  born  in  Albemarle  county,  Vir- 
ginia, 1766,  and  enlisted  from  Union  district,  South  Caro- 
lina. At  King's  Mountain  he  was  under  Williams.  He 
also  served  against  the  Cherokees.  At  Cowpens  he  re- 
ceived four  saber  cuts  on  the  head,  but  was  present  at 
Eutaw.  He  married  Abigail  Davis  1784,  and  applied  for 
pension  in  1832  from  Hall  county,  Georgia. 

Francis,  David,  and  William,  brothers  to  John,  were 
also  in  the  battle,  as  was  also  their  father  Francis,  who 
cared  for  the  sick  and  wounded. 

White.  William  was  born  in  Ireland  1753,  enlisted 
from  Chester  district,  South  Carolina,  1776,  serving  till 
1782,  and  being  present  at  Fishing  Creek,  Blackstock, 
King's  Mountain,  and  other  engagements.     He  came  to 

America  1766,  married  Jane in  1779,  and  died 

1833,  pension  having  just  been  allowed.  His  children 
were  John,  Samuel,  Hugh,  William,  Abraham,  Francis, 
and  Gardner. 

Williams.  Benjamin  was  living  six  miles  from 
Abingdon  in  1776,  where  he  volunteered  under  Colonel 
Christian,  and  was  in  several  skirmishes  in  the  vicinity. 
He  applied  for  pension  in  Knox  county,  Tennessee,  1832, 
when  ninety-one  years  old,  and  died  the  following  year. 
In  1829  he  married  Nancy . 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  245 

Wyley.  James  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  county, 
North  Carolina,  1762,  and  while  very  young  moved  to 
Montgomery  county,  Virginia,  where  he  volunteered  as 
a  private  in  Preston's  cavalry.  He  was  pensioned  in 
Blount  county,  1833,  and  died  1851.  He  married  Mary 
Mittenbarger  of  the  same  county,  1826,  who  applied  for 
pension  in  1853,  when  fifty-two. 

Young.  Thomas  was  born  in  Laurens  district,  South 
Carolina,  1764,  enlisted  1780,  and  was  in  the  affairs  at 
King's  Mountain,  Orangeburg,  and  Ninety-Six.  At  Cow- 
pens  he  received  several  wounds  and  was  captured,  but 
escaped.  He  was  a  nephew  to  Colonel  Brandon,  and  is 
referred  to  in  1828  as  Major  Thomas  Young.  He  was  al- 
lowed invalid  pension  1838. 

William  enlisted  from  Greenville  district,  South 
Carolina,  1775,  and  was  at  Brier  Creek,  Stono,  Augusta, 
King's  Mountain,  Musgrove's  mill,  and  Cowpens.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Salmon  1789,  and  died  1826,  in  Greenville, 
South  Carolina,  aged  sixty-seven.  Pension  granted  the 
children  in  1850.  They  were  William,  Robert,  Julia  G. 
Caldwell,  Hamilton,  Emily  Rosamond,  Mary  Wallace, 
James. 


APPENDIX 


SUPPLEMENTARY  LISTS 

REVOLUTIONARY    PENSIONERS 

Federal  Office,  Knoxville,  Tennessee 

Note:  All  are  privates  unless  otherwise  mentioned.     All  counties 
are  in  Tennessee. 


When  put  on 

Name           Rank 

County 

pension  list 

Died 

Allen,  Richard 

Roan 

1833 

Allgood,  John 

Monroe 

1833 

Aiken,  James 

Roan 

1833 

Armstrong,  Isaac 

Anderson 

1833 

Atchely,  Thomas 

Sevier 

1833 

Anderson,  James 

Morgan 

1833 

Adcock,  Thomas 

1833 

Brewer,  William 

Blount 

1833 

Bryant,  James 

Grainger 

1833 

July  2, 

1839 

Bowen,  Charles 

1833,  transferred  to  Indiana. 

Brown,   George 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Beeler,  Jacob 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Bowman,  Sparkling 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Beard,  Robert 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Bowers,  Leonard 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Boyd,  William 

Roan 

1833 

Brimer,  William 

Sevier 

1833 

Bassett,  Nathaniel 

1833 

Brooks,  Thomas 

Hawkins 

1833 

Briggs,  John 

Jonesboro 

1833 

April  11, 

1833 

Brown,  Isaiah 

1833 

Brown,  Benjamin 

1833 

Bingham,  Benjamin 

Blount 

1833 

Brown,  Stephen 

Bledsoe 

1833 

August  31, 

1837 

Backwell,   David 

Claiborne 

1833 

Brakshears,  Mattis 

Roan 

1833 

Brown,  Thomas 

Grainger 

1833 

Burns,  Laird 

Roan 

1833 

Box,  Samuel 

Jefferson 

1833 

May  16, 

1836 

Bowman,  William 

1839 

Brooks,  David 

1839 

September  5, 

1840 

Breden,  John 

1841 

August  3, 

1840 

Breakbill,  Peter 

1840 

Creswell,  Andrew 

Sevier 

1833 

July  1st, 

1838 

Campbell,  Jermiah 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Cross,  Elijah,  Sergt., 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Campbell,  Jermiah 

Jonesboro 

1833 

October  24, 

1838 

Clark,  James 

Blount 

1833 

Carmichal,  John 

1836 

Carrell,  William 

Roan 

1833 

Compton,  Jermiah  H. 

Sevier 

1833 

Chapman,  Benjamin 

Roan 

1833 

Collinworths,  John 

Grainger 

1833,   Transfered   to   111., 

1834 

Clayborn,  John 

Knox 

1833 

Died  Sep.  4, 

1838 

Childress,  John 

Knox 

1833 

Childress,  Mitchell 

Knox 

1833 

Caunice,  Nicholas 

1837 

250 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


Chitwood,  James 

Campbell 

1833 

Coleman,  Spence 

1833 

Chapman,  John  H. 

Roan 

1833 

Cardwell,  Perrin 

Knox 

1833 

Covey,  Samuel 

Knox 

1833 

Cox,  Curd 

Knox 

1833 

Coal,  Willis 

Fentress 

1833 

Cathcart,  Joseph 

Monroe 

1833 

Cummings,  Andrew 

Blount 

1833, 

Crenshaw,  John 

Roan 

1833 

Copland,  Zacheus 

Jefferson 

1833 

Campbell,  Joseph 

Hamilton 

1833 

Clay,  William 

Hamilton 

1833 

Coop,  Horatia 

1833 

Caruthers,  James 

Blount 

1833 

Carter,  Charles 

1833 

Duncan,  John 

Blount 

1833 

Dobkins,  Jacob 

Claiborne 

1833 

Doherty,  George,  Sr. 

Jefferson 

1834 

Dunn,  William 

Knox 

1833 

Dyer,  Manoah,  Drum 

t'r,  Monroe 

1833 

Dalton,  John 

Bledsoe 

1833 

Davis,  William 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Davis,  Andrew,  Lieut 

.,     Bledsoe 

1833 

Davis,  John 

Blount 

1833 

Davis,  Joel 

1833 

Duncun,  Thomas 

Monroe 

1833 

Dodd,  William 

McMinn 

1833 

David,  Azariah 

Rhea 

1833 

Duglass,  Edward 

Jefferson 

1833 

Davis,  Robert 

Marion 

1833 

Davis,  William 

Cocke 

1833 

Dave,  Thomas 

1838 

Douglass,  Robert 

McMinn 

1834 

Evans,  Ardin 

Roan 

1833 

Edgman,  William 

Roan 

1833 

Everett,  William 

Marion 

1833 

Evans,  Andrew 

Rhea 

1833 

Ewing,  George 

1833 

England,  Joseph 

1833 

Fitch,  John 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Furgason,  James 

Rhea 

1833 

Ford,  John,  Sergt. 

Bledsoe 

1832 

Fulkner,  David 

Knox 

1833 

Forrister,  Robt.,  Sergt.,  McMinn 

1833 

Gaspeuson,  John 

Anderson 

1833 

Garner,  John  F. 

Blount 

1833 

Gorsage,  John 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Gillespie,  Jacob 

Knox 

1833 

Griffith,  Joseph 

Morgan 

1834 

Grantham,  Richard,  Sergt. 

1833 

Gammon,  •  Harris 

Knox 

1833 

Geren,  Solomon 

1833 

Graves,  Boston 

Knox 

1833 

Goodman,  Henry,  Sergt. 

1833 

Graham,  William 

Anderson 

1833 

Hendricks,  Solomon 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Nov.  27,  1835 
Nov.  27,  1835.  (1840  wi- 
dow receiving  pension) 


April  11,  183$ 
Dec.  19,  1837 

Feb.  12,  1848 

July  8,  1834 
July  10,  1837 


July  4,  1840 
Nov.  13,  1834 


June  11,  1833 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


251 


Hunter,  Thomas,  Sergt.,   Blount         1833 


Hamilton,  Joshua 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Hughs,  Peter 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Harper,  Richard 

Claiborne 

1833 

Hall,  John 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Houston,  James,  Ensign        Knox 

1833 

'• 

Hall,  Thomas 

Knox 

1833 

Hotchkiss,  Jared 

Roan 

1833 

Hall,  David 

Anderson 

1833 

Hooper,  Ennis 

1833 

Feb.  4, 

1833 

Huffacre,  George 

Knox 

1833 

Houston,  John 

Knox 

1833 

March  30, 

1835 

Hamby,  William 

Blount 

1833 

Haddon,  George 

Blount 

1833 

Hancock,  Stephen 

Roan 

1833 

Hankins,  Abraham 

Knox 

1833 

Henry,  John 

Jefferson 

1833 

Hale,  John 

Bledsoe 

1833 

Hancocke,  Joseph 

Anderson 

1833 

Housley,  Robert 

Jefferson 

1833 

Holloway,  John 

Morgan 

1833 

April  4, 

1837 

Hedrick,  William 

Sevier 

1833 

Holdway,  Timothy 

1838 

Hamilton,  Thomas 

Rhea 

1833 

Hank,  Michael 

Monroe 

1833 

Harrison,  Nathaniel 

Blount 

1833 

Hobbs,  Thomas 

Claiborne 

1833 

Hardy,  Thomas 

Claiborne 

1834 

Hale,  William 

1833 

Ivy,  Henry 

Jefferson 

1833 

July  7, 

1834 

Johnson,  James 

Knox 

1833, 

transferred  to  Ind., 

1834 

Jack,  James 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Johnson,  Robert 

Knox 

1833 

Jones,  James 

Marion 

1833 

Jenkins,  James 

Sevier 

1833 

Aug.   26, 

1839 

Jamison,  John 

Grainger 

1833 

Feb.  28, 

1839 

James,  John 

Marion 

1833 

Jones,  David 

Knox 

1833 

James,  Rolling 

Campbell 

1833 

James,  Martin 

Franklin 

1833 

Jackson,  Churchwell 

Monroe 

1833 

Johnson,  James 

Fentress 

1833 

King,  John 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Kindle,  William 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Kitchen,  John 

Anderson 

1833 

Keys,  Matthew 

Knox 

1833 

Kendred.  Thomas 

Morgan 

1833 

Kelley,  Wiliiam 

McMinn 

1833 

March  1, 

1837 

King,  Andrew 

Claiborne 

1833 

Sep.  4, 

1833 

Liture,  Harman 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Landrum,  James 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Liles,  David 

Roan 

1833 

Lain,  Charles 

Roan 

1833 

Lesley,  Thomas 

Monroe 

1833 

Feb.  23, 

1839 

Love,  Hezekiah 

1833 

June  11, 

1833 

Love,  Nancy,  widow  of  Hezekiah 

pension 

was  transferred  to  Hunts- 

ville,  Ala.,  1841 

252 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


Lawson,  John 

Morgan 

1833 

Jan.  14, 

1838 

Landrum,  Thomas 

1833 

Lewallen,  Michael 

1834 

May  8, 

1833 

Lane,  James 

Grainger 

1833 

Feb.  4, 

1835 

Lyman,  Jacob 

Sevier 

1833 

Lusk,  Joseph 

McMinn 

1833 

Sep.  4, 

1836 

Larrimore,  Hugh 

McMinn 

1833 

transferred  to   Mo., 

1839 

Lane,  Isaac 

McMinn 

1833 

Lay,  Thomas 

Grainger 

1833 

Long,  Nicholas 

Jefferson 

1833 

Levi,  Rice 

Anderson 

1833 

Lannim,  Joseph 

Anderson 

1833 

Nov.  11, 

1837 

Lengley,  William 

1840 

McBee,  Israel 

Grainger 

1833 

McCoy,  Robert,  Sergt 

Blount 

1833 

McLemore,  John,  Sergt.       Knox 

1833 

McCormick,  Thomas 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Millen,  John 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Moore,  Thomas 

Rhea 

1833 

Moser,  Abraham 

Anderson 

1833 

Miller,  Martin 

Claiborn 

1833 

Aug.  9, 

1838 

Manson,  William 

Jefferson 

1833 

July  3, 

1838 

McFarland,  Robt.,  Lt. 

,  Jefferson 

1833 

McCallister,  William 

Bradley 

1834 

Sep.  4, 

1841 

McCampbell,  Soloman 

1833 

Removed  to  Mobile 

,  Ala. 

McCormick,   Jos.,  Jackson,   Ala. 

1834 

Malaby,  John 

Bledsoe 

1833 

Massingill,  Michael 

Grainger 

1833 

Miller,  John  H. 

Knox 

1833 

Madonough,  Andrew 

Bledsoe 

1833 

Murphy,  John 

Jefferson 

1833 

Feb.  17, 

1837 

Murphy,  William 

Jefferson 

1833 

Transferred  to  Mo., 

1840 

Miliken,  James 

Cocke 

1833 

McWheeler,  And.,  Putman,  Ind 

1833 

Oct.  7, 

1834 

Marney,  Amos 

1833 

Aug.  28, 

1837 

Manley,  Amos 

Anderson 

1833 

Mason,  Edward 

McMinn 

1833 

Aug.  22, 

1833 

McCallon,   James 

Blount 

1833 

McPeters,  Joseph 

Morgan 

1833 

McMillen,  Joseph 

Knox 

1833 

McCormick,  Robert 

McMinn 

1833 

Moore,  William 

Blount 

1833 

McKamey,  James 

Blount 

1833 

Mosier,  Francis 

Monroe 

1833 

Oct.  22, 

1836 

McCroskey,  John 

Sevier 

1833 

Martin,  Robert 

Marion 

1833 

Metcalf,  William 

Marion 

1833 

Neel,  John 

Blount 

1833 

Neal,  Zephaniah 

1833  Transferred  to  West  Tenn. 

Newman,  Jacob 

Blount 

1833 

Norton,  Alexander 

Blount 

1833 

Tluanly,  Henry 

1833 

Norman,  William 

McMinn 

1833 

July  1, 

1841 

Nelson,  

Knox 

1833 

Phillips,  Joseph 

1833 

Panter,  Adam 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Parry,  John 

Roan 

1833 

THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


253 


Porter,  Mitchell  Sevier  1833 

Porter,  Penelope,  widow  of  Mitchell,  paid  pension  after  Mar.  4,  1836 


Portwood,  Page,  Segt. 

,  Anderson 

1833 

Perry,  Jesse,  Ensign 

1833 

Patton,  Jacob 

Monroe 

1833 

Mar.  4, 

1840 

Phillips,  Clemmon 

Morgan 

1833 

Palmer,  Thomas 

Rhea 

1833 

Patton,  Joseph 

Morgan 

1833 

Peck,  Able 

Knox 

1833 

Price,  John 

Granger 

1833 

Peters,  William 

McMinn 

1834 

Pollard,  Chattin 

1841 

Quarles,  Francis 

Knox 

1833 

Queener,  John 

McMinn 

1833 

Russell,   Moses 

McMinn 

1833 

Rutherford,  William 

Knox 

1833 

Nov.  16, 

1833 

Re-d,  David 

McMinn 

1833 

Rogers,  William 

Hamilton 

1833 

Richardson,  Amos 

Rhea 

1833 

Rutherford,  Absolm 

Knox 

1833 

Rogers,  Benjamin 

Campbell 

1833 

Riggins,  James 

McMinn 

1833 

Rudd,  Burlingham 

Sevier 

1833 

Reed,  Lovett 

Bledsoe 

1833 

Nov.   9, 

1838 

(Note:  Libby  Reed,  widow  of  Lovett  paid  pension  Mar.  1,  1841) 

Roberts,  Joshua 

Morgan 

1833, 

Transferred  to  Mo., 

1837 

Robertson,    Joseph 

Blount 

1833 

Rains,  John,  Cape. 

Bledsoe 

1833 

Jany  28, 

1835 

Richardson,  James 

Monroe 

1833 

Reed,  Abraham 

Monroe 

1833 

Roper,  Drury 

Jefferson 

1833 

Robertson,  Thomas 

Monroe 

1833 

Roberts,  Edmund 

McMinn 

1833 

Scott,  John 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Sevier,  James 

Jonesboro 

1833 

Stephens,  Mashack 

Marion 

1833 

Stone,  Ezekial 

Marion 

1833 

Scott,  Arthur 

Knox 

^833 

Sterling,  Robert 

Blount 

1833 

Smith,  Obediah 

1833 

Smith,  Henry 

McMinn 

1833 

Steed,  Thomas 

McMinn 

1833 

Sellers,  James 

Bladley 

1833 

Smith,  Ransom 

Marion 

1833 

Stone,  Soloman 

Marion 

1833 

Steele,  Samuel 

Monroe 

1833 

Simms,  James 

Blount 

1833 

Smith,  Laton 

Marion 

1833 

Smallwood,  William 

Sevier 

1833 

Smith,  Edward 

Knox 

1833 

Sarrett,  Allen 

Cocke 

1833 

Sutherland,  David 

Bledsoe 

1834 

Sharp,  Samuel 

Knox 

1833 

Sep.  4, 

1849 

Stone,  Conway 

Monroe 

1833 

Nov.  19, 

1834 

Smith,    William 

Jefferson 

1833 

Jan.   24, 

1836 

(Note:  Sep.  24,  .1759  paid  to  the   24th  of  Jany.  1836  to  two  of  four 


254 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


children,  to-wit:  Hester  Smith  and  Jane  Wild.     See  the  letter  June 

16,  1860.) 

Stansfiels,  Jas.,  Sergt.,  McMinn 


Knox 

Grainger 

Morgan 

Monroe 

Blount 

Knox 

Monroe 

Green 

Knox 


Scott,  James 

Stellars,  James 

Stencipher,  Joseph 

Swadley,  Mark 

Sims,  John 

Siske,  Bartlett 

Smith,  Harnet 

Smith,  Phillip 

Shever,  Frederick 

Sample,  Samuel 

Sumpter,   Thomas,   Fifer,   Knox 

Taylor,   Andrew  Jonesboro 

Taylor,  Isaac,  Lieut.,  Jonesboro 

Thompson,  Sam'l,  Sergt.,  Blount 

Taff,  George  Jefferson 

Trail,  James  Jonesboro 

Tate,  David  Grainger 

Thatcher,  Benjamin  Roan 

Thurman,  Philip 

Thurman,  Charles 

Trail,  James 

Thomas,  John 

Trice,  James 

Tulloch,  Magnus,   Fifer,   Blount 

Tedford,    Robt.,    Sergt,    Blount 

Trexal,  Jacob  Marion 

Thompson,  Thomas  McMinn 

Trowell,  James  Anderson 

Truce,  Michael 

Taylor,  Daniel 

Thompson,  Stephen 

Tyner,  Damsey 

Wiser,  George 

Williams,  John  J. 

Williams,  John 

Wood,   Obadiah 


Bledsoe 

Bledsoe 

Jonesboro 

Blount 


Jefferson 
Grainger 

Marion 
Hamilton 
Claiborne 
Claiborne 

Morgan 
Anderson 


1834 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1834 
1833 
1834 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1834 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1834 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 


Jany.  8,   1839 

Aug.  7,  1838 
Sept.  25,  1840 


(Note:  Transferred  to  Arkansas,  May  4,  1835.) 


Woddy,  John 
Williford,  Jacob 
Williams,  Benjamin 
Williams,  Shadrack 
Welch,  Robert 
Walker,   John 


Roan  1833 

Grainger  1833 

Knox  1833 

Grainger  1833 

Grainger  1833 

Blount  1833 
Note:  Paid  to  children,  Aug.   6th,  1837.) 

Walling,  John  McMinn  1833 

Whitman,  John  Campbell  1833 

Woods,  John  Blount  1833 

Wyley,  James  Blount  1833 

Wear,  John  Sevier  1833 

(Note:  Transferred  to  Indiana,  Sept.  4,  1834.) 

Walker,  George,  Sergt.,  Bledsoe  1833 

Wooton,  Turner  1833 

White,  William  Anderson  1834 

Wiette,  Edward  Anderson  1833 


Feb.  18,  1839 
June  5,  1835 
July  15,  1839 


April  26,  1836 


Nov.  23,  1833 
Jany.  8,  1835 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 


255 


Williams,  Matthew 

Morgan 

1833 

Wiley,  Alexander 

Anderson 

1833 

July  4th,  1833 

Wees,  Peter 

Roan 

1833 

Willis,  Smith 

Morgan 

1833 

White,  Benjamin 

Maury 

1830 

Walker,  Robert 

Bedford 

1832,  Age  77 

White,  Gordon 

Blount 

1833,  Age  72 

Waddle,  Martin 

Green 

1833,  Age  71 

Wolever,  Philip 

Green 

1833,  Age  83 

Walling,  William 

Hawkins 

1833,  Age  75 

Willia,  John 

Hawkins 

1833,  Age  64 

Winstead,  Francis 

Hawkins 

1833,  Age  74 

Young,  Isham 

Roan 

1833 

Yader,  Joseph 

Grainger 

1833 

Dec.  25,  1834 

Yancey,  Ambrose 

Grainger 

1833 

Young,  Samuel 

McMinn 

1833 

Yates,  Samuel 

Cocke 

1833 

B 

Acor,  Jacob  Bayless,  John  (Dead) 

Archerm,  Isaac  Beaty,  Walter 

Acre,  Cronanmus  Baker,  Henry  B. 

Abbott,  John,  Sergeant  Bright,  James 

Boyd,  John  Bowman,  John 

Brocus,  John  (died  Apr.  14,  1824)  Britten,  Joseph,  Lieutenant 
Banard,  Jonathan  Boston,   Christopher 

Brummett,  Thomas 

Invalid 
Bushong,  George  Bates,  Isaac 

Berry,  John  Barlow,  Henson 

Half  Pay 
Bailey,  Mary,  Guardian  of  the  heirs  of  John  Bailey,  private.  (Note: 
Cash  paid  to  the  Hon.  John  Cocke,  your  att.  at  the  office  of  the  Audi- 
tor, as  per  letter  from  Peter  Hagner  of  the  21st  of  Jany.  1824 
$182.27  being  the  amount  of  pension  due  to  the  4th  of  Sept.  1823.) 
Clark,  John  Cooper,  Richard 

Carr,  William  Crow,  Robert 

Childress,  David  Crawford,  Moses 

Coleman,  John  Carr,  William,  2nd  (dead) 

Carter,  Thomas  Copinger,  Higgins 

Clark,  Thomas  (dead)  Courtney,  Michael 

Crews,  Gideon   (dead)  Cunningham,    Valentine    (trans- 

Conway,  James  f erred  from  West  Tenn.) 

Chandley,  William,  Sergeant 

Invalid 
Caldwell,  John  Draper,   Robert 

Craighead,  Robert  Dixon,  George 

Dawson,  James  Dunkin,  Daniel 

Desern,  Frederick 

Invalid 
Dunlap,  James  Fitzergerald,  George 

Dunham,  Washington  Floid,  Perry 

Evens,  Samuel  Fant  or  Fain,  George 

Ethridge,  John,  Transferred  fromFuller,  George 

West  Tenn.  Fry,  Gabriel 

Falls,  John 

Invalid 
Fain,  John 
Grant,  James  (Died  Jan.  21,  1824) Hays,  William 
Givens,  Jalrick  Hines,  James 

Graves,  Stephen  Honey,  John  A. 

Grant,  David  Holliway,  Billey 

Goings,  Williams  Harbison,  John 

Goings,  Daniel  Harper,  Thomas 

Godsey,  William  Henwood,  Robert 

Green,  Samuel  Harris,  Hugh 

Gregory,  George,  Captain  Horton,  Isaac 

Godfrey,  Zachriah  Hood,  Jacob 

Harrison,  William 

Invalid 
Harton,  Howell  Heater,  William 


THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN  257 


Half  Pay 

Harmon,  Jacob,  Guardian  of  the  heirs  of  Jon  Goforth,  a  private  at 

&  4  per  mo. 

Hemmill,  Henry,  Guardian  of  the  heirs  of  John  Davis,  a  private,  &  per 

month. 

Hawkins,  Joseph,  Guardian  of  the  heirs  of  Jethroe  Reynolds,  private. 

Hickman,  Henry,  Guardian  of  the  heirs  of  James  Keeney,  private. 

Jordon,  John  Jackson,  Jonthan 

Jackson,  William  Jones,  Joseph 

Johnson,  William  Kilborn,  Benjamin 

Johnson,  Peter  Kelly,  Charles,  Sergeant 

Invalid 
Kilgore,  Charles  (Died  June  17,     Kennedy,  Andrew 

1823)  Kelley,  Allen 

Liles,  John,  (died  April  15,  1824)McRoberts,  David 

Leay  or  Lee,  William  Mann,  Ebenezer 

Leonard,  John  McElroy,  Daniel 

McEntire,  John  (died)  May,  George 

Mann,  Robert  McVey,  Eli 

Morgan,  John  McDonald,  John,  Mus.  N. 

Mackey,  William 
McLain,   Thomas    (Died   April   11, McDonald,  James 

1824)  Minton,  Ebenezer 

Invalid 

Matlock,  Henry  Malloy,  Timothy 

Montgomery,  John  Morrint,  Joseph 

Montgomery,  James 

Half  Pay 
McClintock,  James,  Guardian  of     the    heirs    of    Barclay    Reams    or 
Rheams,  private. 

Norton,  George  Price,  James 

Nelson,  John  Peterson,  Daniel 

Northern,  Solomon  Pearce,  Joshua 

Nixon,  John  Parsons,  George 

Neeley,  John  Pratt,  Thomas 

Norris,  William  Petty,  John 

O'Bar,  Robert  Price,  John 

Osburn,  Nathaniel,  Captain  Porterfeild,  Richard 

Parsons,   Thomas,    (died   Feb.  15,      1825) 

Invalid 

Posey,  Harrison  Pannel,  John 
Parks,  James 

Robinson,  James  Rock,  John 

Ross,  Robert  (died  Jan.  23,  1825)  Rector,  Uriah 
Rhodes,  Samuel,  Transferred  to        Rogers,  Willonburghby 
Mo.,   1822. 

Invalid 
Rhea,  Luna  Reed,  Joseph 

Rhea,  Robert  Russell,  John 

Half  Pay 
Rowlin,  Lory,  Guardian  of  the  heirs  of  Thomas  Rowland,  private. 
Rhea,  Henrietta,  Guardian  of  the  heirs  of  John  Rhea,  private. 
Staples,  John  Slaughter,  Jacob 

Sitton,  William  Sexton,  Timothy 


258  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Simmons,  James  Smith,  John  A. 

Spears,  Samuel  Stansbury,  Luke 

Smith,  Robert  Sergeant  Smith,  Caleb 

Spragon,  Thomas 

Invalid 
Stephens,  Henry  Seals,  Hezekiah 

Thomas,    Jacob,    transferred    to      Tarrant,    Henry,     Transferred     to 
West  Tennessee  West  Tennessee 

Invalid 
Thonburgh,  John   Sergeat  Titlow,  Philip,  Sergeant 

Tipton,  William 

Half  Pay 
Thankenley,   Sarah,   Guardian  of  Walker,  John 
the   heirs    of   William   Tankenley,  private. 

Williams,  Alexander  Walker,  John,  Sergeant  Major 

Whelan,  Richard  Wees,  Michael 

Walker,  Samuel,  Captain  Wells,  Zachariah 

Invalid 
Wright,  William  Waddle,  David 

Wheeler,  Samuel  Webb,  Jesse 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 
Of  Principal  Books  Consulted. 

North  Carolina — State  Record. 

Pension  Lists — Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Car- 
olina, Kentucky,  Georgia,  Tennessee,  Missouri,  Alabama, 
Mississippi. 

Lineage  Book,  D.  A.  R.,  Volumes  1-60. 

Lineage  Book,  S.  A.  R. 

History  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C. — J.  B.  Alex- 
ander. 

History  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C. — D.  A.  Tomp- 
kins. 

Early  Hopewell  Settlers — J.  B.  Alexander. 

History  of  Halifax  County,  N.  C. — W.  C.  Allen. 

Dropped-Stitches  of  Tennessee  History — John  Alli- 
son. 

County  of  Illinois — C.  W.  Alvord. 

Scotch-Irish  of  Pennsylvania — W.  C.  Armor. 

Notable  Families  of  the  South — Zella  Armstrong. 

History  of  Watauga  County,  N.  C. — J.  P.  Arthur. 

Western  North  Carolina — J.  P.  Arthur. 

Chronicles  of  the  Scotch-Irish  families  in  Augusta 
County,  Va. — Lyman  Chalkley. 

Early  Settlers  of  Rowan  County,  N.  C. — Eugene 
Bean. 

History  of  the  German  Settlements  in  North  and 
South  Carolina — G.  D.  Bernheim. 

Scotch-Irish  pioneers  in  Ulster  and  America — C.  K. 
Bolton. 

First  Settlements  in  Tennessee — J.  W.  Breaxeale. 

Southwest  Virginia  and  the  Shenandoah  Valley — 
Thomas  Bruce. 

The  South  in  the  Revolution — J.  W.  Caldwell. 

History  of  Tennessee — W.  H.  Carpenter. 

Historical  Collections  of  South  Carolina — B.  R.  Car- 
roll. 

Interesting  Revolutionary  Incidents — E.  W.  Car- 
uthers. 

Historic  Sumner  County,  Tennessee — J.  G.  Cisco. 


260  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  MEN 

Notes  on  the  War  in  the  South — N.  H.  Claiborne. 

History  of  Davidson  County,  Tenn. — N.  W.  Clayton. 

Historical  Sketches  of  Kentucky — Lewis  Collins. 

History  of  Pioneer  Kentucky — R.  S.  Cottrell. 

Life  of  Davy  Crockett — By  Himself. 

Historical  Collections,  Joseph  Habersham  Chapter, 
D.  A.  R.,  Ga. 

Historic  North  Carolina  Troops,  North  Carolina  Line 
— C.  L.  Davis. 

Affair  at  King's  Mountain — J.  W.  DePeyster. 

King's  Mountain  and  Its  Heroes — L.  C.  Draper. 

Shelby  and  His  Men — J.  N.  Edwards. 

Revolutionary  Soldiers  of  Virginia — H.  J.  Eckenrode. 

The  State  of  Franklin— W.  E.  Fitch. 

Sketches  of  North  Carolina — W.  H.  Foote. 

Sketches  of  Virginia — W.  H.  Foote. 

The  Scotch-Irish  in  America— H.  J.  Ford. 

John  Sevier — J.  R.  Gilmore. 

Historic  Families  of  Kentucky — T.  M.  Green. 

Civil  and  Political  History  of  Tennessee — John  Hay- 
wood. 

Sketches  of  Western  North  Carolina — C.  L.  Hunter. 

History  of  Sweetwater  Valley — W.  B.  Lenoir. 

History  of  Georgia — McCall. 

Battle  of  King's  Mountain — F.  B.  McDowell. 

Some  Tennessee  Families — Selden  Nelson. 

Pioneer  Settlers  of  Grayson  County,  Va. — B.  F.  Nuc- 
kolls. 

Annals  of  Tennessee — J.  G.  M.  Ramsay. 

History  of  Rowan  County,  N.  C. — Jethro  Rumple. 

Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution— Lorenzo  Sa- 
bine. 

History  of  Orangeburg  County,  S.  C. — A.  S.  Salley. 

Records  of  the  Revolutionary  War — W.  T.  R.  SaffelL 

Historic  Sullivan  County,  Tenn. — Oliver  Taylor. 

Tennessee  Historical  Magazine. 

History  of  McNair  County — M.  J.  Wright. 

Virginia  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography. 

Annals  of  Augusta  County — J.  A.  Waddell. 

Historical  Sketches  of  North  Carolina — J.  H. 
Wheeler. 

Historical  Collections  of  Georgia — George  White. 

Upper  South  Carolina — J.  B.  C.  Landrum. 

Draper  Manuscripts  of  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  and 
Tennesse  History. 


INDEX 


Abernathy,  Robert 140 

Adair,  John  113,   140 

Adams,  John  141 

Adams,  William  141 

Alexander,  Daniel  141 

Alexander,  Elias  - 141 

Alexander,  James  142,  237 

Alexander,  John  142 

Alexander,  Oliver  142 

Alexander,  William  142 

Allen,  Moses  142 

Allen,  Richard  115,  142 

Allen,  Vincent  143 

Allison,  John  143 

Alston,  William  143 

Anderson  family  87 

Anderson,  George  144,  237 

Anderson,  Jacob 144 

Anderson,  John  144 

Anderson,  William 144,  237 

Arbuckle,  Matthew  144 

Arbuckle,  Thomas  144 

Armstrong,  Matthew 144 

Armstrong,  Robert 144 

Armstrong,  William 145 

Baker,  John "145 

Balch,  Amos  145 

Balch,  John  145 

Ballew,  Richard  145 

Banning,  Benoni  145 

Barker,  Charles  145 

Barker,  Edmund  145 

Barker,  Edward  145 

Barker,  Enoch  145 

Barker,  Henry 145 

Barker,  Joel 145 

Barnes,  Alexander 145 

Barnes,  Benjamin  146 

Barnes,  Shadrach 146 

Barnett,  Alexander  146 

Barry,  Andrew  146 

Bartlett,  William  145 

Barton,  Benjamin  146 

Barton,  John  146 

Bearden,  Jeremiah 147 

Bearden,  John  147 

Beattie,  David  147 

Beattie,  Francis  147 

Beattie,  John  147 

Beattie,  William  147 

Beeler,  Jacob  147 


Beeler,  Joseph  147 

Been,  George  146 

Been,  Jesse  146 

Been,  Robert  146 

Been,  William  146 

Bell,  Samuel 147 

Bell,  Thomas  147 

Bell,   William  147 

Berry,  Bradley 147 

Berry,  James  147 

Berry,  Robert  148 

Berry,  Thomas 147 

Beverly,  John  148 

Bibliography  259,  260 

Bickley,  Charles  148 

Bicknell,  James  148 

Bicknell,  John  148 

Bicknell,  Thomas 148 

Bishop,  Levi  148 

Black,  Joseph  148 

Blackburn,  Arthur 148 

Blackburn,  George 148 

Blackburn,  John  148 

Blackburn,  Joseph 149 

Blackburn,  William  148 

Blackmore,  John  149 

Blackmore,  William  149 

Blacock,  Samuel 149 

Blacock,  Zarach  149 

Blair,  James  ! 149 

Blair,  John  149 

Blair,  W.  K 123 

Blassingham,  John 149 

Bledsoe,  Anthony  80,  93 

Bledsoe,  Isaac  80,  93 

Blevin,  Henry  149 

Blevin,  Daniel  149 

Boran,  Baile  150 

Bowen,  Arthur 151 

Bowen,  Charles  151 

Bowen,  Henry  151 

Bowen,  John  151 

Bowen,  Reese  150 

Bowen,  Robert 151 

Bowyer,  John  151 

Bowyer,  Thomas  151 

Boyce,  Alexander  151 

Boyce,  John  151 

Bradley,  Richard  151 

Bradley,  William  151 

Brandon,  Matthew 151 

Brandon,  Thomas  152 


262 


INDEX 


Brashear,  Samuel  152 

Brazleton,  William  152 

Breckenbridge,  Alexander     152 

Breckenbridge,  Robert  152 

Brooks,    George   152 

Brooks,  John  152 

Brooks,  Moses  152 

Brown,  Gabriel 152 

Brown,  Jacob  153 

Brown,  James  152 

Brown,  John  153,  237 

Brown,  Joseph  153 

Brown,  Michael  153 

Brown,  William  133 

Browning,   Enos  153 

Bruster,  B ■  153 

Buchanan,  Alexander  153 

Buchanan,  John  153 

Buchanan,  Robert  153 

Buchanan,  Samuel  153 

Buchanan,  William  153 

Bullen,  Isaac  153 

Bullen,  Luke  153 

Bullen,   William  153 

Burney,  Simon  154 

Burney,  William  154 

Burns,  William  154 

Caldwell,  Samuel 154 

Caldwell,  Thomas Ib4 

Caldwell,  William  154 

Callahan,  John  154 

Callaway,  Elijah 154 

Callaway,  Joseph 154 

Callaway,  Richard  154 

Callaway,  William 154 

Camp,  Joshua  155 

Camp,  Thomas 155 

Camp,  Stephen  155 

Campbell,   Arthur,    65,    76,    77, 
91,  155 

Campbell,  David 155 

Campbell,  Hugh  155 

Campbell,  James  155 

Camnbell,  Jeremiah 155 

Campbell,  John  70,  237 

Campbell,  Patrick  155 

Campbell,  Robert 155 

Campbell,  William 77,  155 

Candler,  William  155 

Cantrell,  Stephen  155 

Carmack,  Cornelius  69,  156 

Carmack,  John  156 

Carpenter,  John  156 

Carr,   Patrick  156 

Carr,  William  237 

Carroll,  William  156 


Carson,  Andrew 119,  156 

Carson,  David  156 

Carson,  John  156 

Carson,  William  156 

Carter,  John 77,  156 

Carter,  Landon  156 

Carswell,  Alexander 157 

Carswell,  Andrew  157 

Casewell,  Zadrach  157 

Casey,  Benjamin  157 

Casey,  Levi 157 

Casey,  Randolph  157 

Casey,  William  157 

Castillo,  John  157 

Chambers,  Daniel  157 

Cherokee  expedition,   126,   127, 
134 

Chesney,  Alexander  108-112 

Chickamauga  expedition  91 

Childers,  Mitchell  .?. 157 

Childress,  Thomas  157 

Childress,  William 157 

Chisholm,  John 158 

Chittim,  John 158 

Christian,  Geo.,  79-82,  96,  158 
Christian,  Gilbert,  79,  144,  158 

Christian,  William 80,  83,  95 

Clark,  Elijah  158 

Clark,  George 158 

Clark,  Henderson 124 

Clark,  James  158 

Clark,  John 158 

Clark,  Michael  158 

Clark,  William  158 

Cleveland,  Benjamin 72,  159 

Cleveland,  Ezekiel  159 

Cleveland,  John 74,  159 

Cleveland,  Larkin  159 

Cleveland,  Robert  159 

Clendennin,  James  88 

Clon,  William 159 

Cloud,  Joseph 159 

Clowney,  Samuel 159 

Cobb,  Arthur  160 

Cobb,  Jerry  160 

Cobb,  Pharoah  237 

Cobb,  William  160 

Cock,  Captain  89 

Cocke,  James  161 

Co?ke,  William 161 

Cockrell,  John  161 

Cole,  Hugh  161 

Cole,  Joseph  161 

Cole,   Thomas  161 

Cole,  William  161 

Colley,  Asa  161 

Colley,  Charles  161 


INDEX 


263 


Colley,  Daniel 161 

Colley,  Isaac  161 

Colley,  Thomas  161 

Colley,  William  161 

Collins,  James  161 

Collins,  Samuel  161 

Colville,  Andrew  161 

Colville,   Samuel  162 

Condlay,  John  162 

Cook,  Charles 162 

Cook,  Edward  162 

Cook,  Robert  162 

Cook,  William  162 

Cope,  John  162 

Corry,  James  : 162 

Costner,  Thomas  162 

Coulter,  Martin  162 

Coultrie,  Robert 162 

Cowan,  Andrew 162 

Cowan,  David  162 

Cowan,  James  162 

Cowan,  Nathaniel 162 

Cowan,  Samuel  162 

Cowan,  Thomas  162 

Cowan,  William  162 

Cox,  William  162 

Cozby,  James  163 

Crabtree,  James  163 

Crabtree,  William  163 

Craig,  David  163 

Craig,  James  163 

Craig,  John  163 

Craig,  Robert  163 

Crawford,  Charles  163 

Crawford,  John  163 

Crawford,  Robert 163 

Crock,  William  164 

Crockett,  John 164 

Crockett,  Joseph  164 

Crockett,  Walter  164 

Crockett,  William  164 

Cross,  Joseph  165 

Cross,  Zachrach  165,  238 

Crow,  James  165 

Crow,  John 166 

Crumbless,  Thomas  166 

Crunk,  William  166 

Culbertson,  Josiah 166 

Culbertson,  Robert 238 

Curry,  James  166 

Cusick,  John  166 

Cutbirth,  Adam  166 

Cutbirth,  Daniel 166 

Dameron,  George  166 

Darnell,  David  166 

Darnell,  Lawrence  166 


Daugherty,  George  166 

Daugherty,  James  167 

Davidson,  Benjamin 167 

Davidson,  Samuel  167 

Davidson,  William  167 

Davis,  James  167 

Davis,  John  167 

Davis,  Joel  167 

Davis,  Nathan  167 

Davis,  Nathaniel 167 

Davis,  Robert 167 

Davis,  Samuel  167 

Davison,   Daniel   167 

Davison,  William 167 

Dawson,  Elias  167 

Delaney,  William  167 

Dennison,  Robert 168 

Desha,  Robert  168 

Detgaoorett,  John  168 

Dickenson,  Captain  83 

Dickenson,  Henry 168 

Dickey,  Andrew  168 

Dickey,  David  168 

Dickson,  Joseph  168 

Dillard,  Benjamin  169 

Dillard,  James  169 

Dixon,    Joseph    169 

Doak,  Samuel  169 

Dobson,  Joseph  169 

Donaldson,  Stocklye  93 

Doran,  Alexander 169 

Doran,  James 169 

Doran,  Terence  169 

Dorton,  Moses  169 

Dorton,  William  169 

Douglas,   James   169 

Douglas,  Jonathan 169 

Draper,  letter  by  68 

Dryden,  James  169 

Dryden,  Nathaniel  169 

Dryden,  William  169 

Duckworth,  John  238 

Duff,  David  169 

Duncan,  Jesse  169 

Dysart,  James  170 

Earnest,  Felix  170 

Eaton's  Station  70,  80 

Eddlemon,  Peter  170 

Edmondson,  Andrew  170 

Edmondson,  John  170 

Edmondson,  Robert 70,  170 

Edmondson,  Samuel 170 

Edmondson,  Thomas  170 

Edmondson,  William  170 

Elder,  Robert 170 


264 


INDEX 


Elder,  William 170 

Elliott,  James  170 

Elmore,  William  170 

Ely,  William  170 

Enlow,  Potter 170 

Estill,  Benjamin 171 

Espey,   Samuel  171 

Evans,  Andrew  171 

Evans,  David  171 

Evans,  Evan  171 

Evans,   Philip  171 

Evans,   Samuel  171 

Ewart,  James  171 

Ewart,  Robert  171 

Ewin,   Hugh  171 

Ewing,  Alexander  171 

Fagan,  John 171 

Fapolson,  Andrew  171 

Farewell,  James 171 

Faris,  Isaac  171 

Faris,  John  171 

Faris,  Larkin  171 

Paris,  Martin  171 

Faris,  Richard  171 

Faris,  Thomas  171 

Farrow,  Landon  171 

Farrow,  Samuel 171 

Farrow,  Thomas 171 

Fear,  Edmund  172 

Fear,  Thomas  172 

Feimster,  William  238 

Ferguson,  Patrick  3,  4,  5 

Findley,  George 172 

Findley,  John 172 

Fisher,  Frederick 172 

Flecnor,  Charles  172 

Flecnor,  Joel   172 

Flecnor,  John 172 

Flecnor,  Michael 172 

Fletcher,  Thomas 172 

Floyd,  Andrew 172 

Floyd,  John  76,  238 

Fork,    Peter   172 

Fork,  William  172 

Fowler,  James  172 

Fowler,  William 172 

Fox,  John  172 

Francis,  Henry  172 

Francis,  Thomas 172 

Frankland  70,  71 

Franklin,  State  of,  66,  81,  93, 
97,  98 

Frazier,  David  173 

Frazier,  John  ~ 173 

Frigge,  John  173 

Frigge,  Robert 173 


Frost,  Micajah 173 

Fulkerson,  James 173 

Fulkerson,  John  173 

Fulkerson,  Richard  173 

Gaines,  Ambrose  173 

Gaines,  James  173,  238 

Galbraith,  Arthur  173 

Galbraith,  John  173 

Galbraith,  Robert 173 

Gallaher,  John  173 

Gamble,  Choat  174 

Gamble,  Josiah  174 

Gamble,   Robert  173 

Gammon,  Harris  174 

Gammon,  James 174 

Gammon,  John  174 

Gammon,  Richard  174 

Gann,  Thomas  174 

Gass,  John   174 

Gaston,  William  238 

Gates,   General  4 

Gibbs,  Nicholas  238 

Gibson,  George  174 

Gibson,  John  174 

Gibson,  Thomas  174 

Giles,  William 174 

Gilleland,  James 174 

Gilleland,  John 174 

Gillespie,  George 174 

Gillespie,  Thomas 174 

Gillespie,  William  175 

Gilliam,  Devereux  175 

Gilliham,  Jacob  175 

Gilmer,   Enoch  175 

Gilmer,  William  175 

Gist,  Benjamin 176 

Gist,  Joseph  177 

Gist,  Joshua 177 

Gist,  Mordecai  177 

Gist,  Nathaniel  177 

Gist,  Richard  177 

Gist,  Thomas  177 

Given,  James  177 

Godwin,  Joseph  177 

Godwin,  Robinson  177 

Godwin,  Samuel  177 

Goff,  Andrew 177 

Goff,  William  177 

Goforth,  John 177 

Goforth,  Preston  177 

Gordon,  Chapman  178 

Gordon,  Charles 177 

Gordon,  George  178 

Gourley,  Thomas  178 

Graham,   James   178 

Graham,  William  178 


INDEX 


265 


Gray,  James  178,  239 

Gray,   William   178 

Green,  Jesse  178 

Greer,  Alexander 178 

Greer,  Andrew  179 

Greer,  Joseph  107,  179 

Gregory,  John  179 

Gregory,  William 179 

Grier,  James  179 

Grier,  John  179 

Griffing,  Joseph  179 

Grimes,  George  179 

Grimes,  James  179 

Guest,   Moses   239 

Guthery,  Adam  89 

Gwaltney,  Nathan  179 

Hackett,  John 179 

Hafner,  Nicholas  180 

Hager,  Simon  180 

Haile,  John  180 

Hall,  David  180 

Hall,  Jesse  180 

Hall,   John   180 

Hambright,  Frederick  180 

Hamer,  James 181 

Hamer,  John 181 

Hamilton,  Alexander 181 

Hamilton,  John  181 

Hamilton,  Robert 181 

Hammond,  Charles 181 

Hammond,  Samuel 181 

Hampton,  Andrew  182 

Hampton,  Edward  182 

Hampton,  Joel  ... 239 

Hampton,  Jonathan 182 

Handly,  Samuel 182 

Hanna,  Robert  184 

Hannah,  Robbin  184 

Hansley,  Robert  184 

Hardeman,  Thomas  184 

Hardin,  Abraham 184 

Hardin,   John   184 

Hardin,  Joseph  184 

Harkleroad,  Henry 184 

Harlison,  Herdon  184 

Harrell,  John  184 

Harrell,  Joseph  184 

Harrell,  Kidder 184 

Harrell,  Reuben 184 

Harris,  James  184 

Harrison,  Gideon  184 

Hawthorne,  James 185 

Hayes,  Defeat  of 106 

Hayes,  Joseph  185 

Hayter,  Irsael 185 

Helm,  John  186 


Helm,  Meredith  186 

Helms,  John  239 

Helton,  Abraham 186 

Hemphill,  Charles  186 

Hemphill,  Thomas  186 

Henderson  family  186 

Henderson,  John  186 

Hendrick,  David  186 

Hendrick,  Moses  186 

Henniger,  Conrad  186 

Henniger,  Henry  186 

Henniger,  Jacob  186 

Henniger,  John 186 

Henry,  Henry 186 

Henry,  James  186 

Henry,  John  187,  239 

Henry,  Joseph  239 

Henry,  Moses 186 

Henry,  Robert  187 

Henry,  Samuel  187 

Hensley,  Samuel 187 

Hereden,  Edward  187 

Hereden,  James 187 

Hickman,  James  187 

Hickman,  Joel  188 

Hickman,  Thomas  188 

Hider,  Michael  188 

Higgenbottam,  Robert 188 

Higgens,  John  188 

Hill,  James  188 

Hill,  William  188 

Hillian,  James  188 

Hobbs,  Thomas  188 

Hollingsworth,  Benjamin 188 

Hollis,  John  188 

Holloway,   Charles  188 

Hood,  John  188 

Hortenstine,  Abraham 188 

Horton,  Daniel 189 

Horton,  Henry  189 

Horton,  John  189 

Horton,  Joshua  189 

Horton,  Zephaniah  189 

Houghton.  Thomas  189 

Houston,  James 189,  239 

Houston,  John  189 

Houston,  William 189 

Howard,  William  189 

Hubbard,  James  189 

Hudson,  John  190 

Hufacre,  George  190 

Hughes,   David   191 

Hughes,  Francis  19 1 

Hughes,  Joseph  190 

Hughes,  Thomas  191 

Hunter,  Thomas 191 

Hyce,  George 19x 


266 


INDEX 


Hyce,  Leonard  191 

Hyden,   William   191 

Indians,  Battle  with 86,  87 

Ingle,  John  191 

Ingle,  Michael  191 

Ingram,  Jeremiah  191 

Inman,  Abednego 191 

Inman,    Shadrach   192 

Ireland,  Hans  192 

Isaac,  Samuel 192 

Isbell,  Francis  192 

Isbell,  Godfrey  192 

Isbell,  Henry  192 

Isbell,    James    192 

Isbell,  Livingston  192 

Isbell,  Thomas  192 

Isbell,   William  192 

Isbell,  Zachary  192 

Jack,  James  192 

Jack,  Jeremiah  192 

Jack,  Patrick  193 

Jackson,  William  193 

Jamison,  John  193 

Jamison,  Robert 193 

Jamison,  Samuel  193 

Jamison,  Thomas 193 

Jarnigan,  George 193 

Jarnigan,  Thomas  193 

Jarnigan,  William  193 

Jefferies,  Jean  194 

Jefferies,  John  194 

Jefferies,  Nathan  194 

Jefferies,  Nathaniel  194 

Jeffries,  Philip  194 

Jenkins,   Jacob   194 

Jenkins,  Thomas  194 

Jenkins,  William  194 

Jennings,   David  194 

Johnson,  Barnett 194 

Johnson,  James  194 

Johnson,  Samuel  240 

Johnston,    John    194 

Johnston,  Robert  194 

Johnston,  William  194 

Jones,  Daniel  „ 195 

Jones,  John  195 

Jones,  Joseph  195 

Jones,  Joshua 240 

Jones,   Thomas  195 

Judd,  John  195 

Karr,  Matthew  195 

Karr,  Robert  195 

Keeps,  James  195 

Kelly,  John  240 


Kelly,  William  240 

Kendrick,  Benjamin  195 

Kendrick,  John  195 

Kendrick,  Samuel  195 

Kendrick,  Solomon 195 

Kennedy,  Daniel  195 

Kennedy,  Moses  196 

Kennedy,   Robert  196 

Kennedy,  Thomas  195 

Kennedy,  William  196 

Kerby,  Henry  196 

Kerr,  Adam  196 

Kerr,  Joseph  196 

Keys,  James 197 

Kidd,  John  197 

Kilgore,  Charles  197 

Kincannan,  Andrew  197 

Kincannon,  James  197 

Kincannon,  Matthew  197 

King,  Robert  92,  197 

King,  William  198 

King's    Mountain,    3,    81,    111, 
112,  128,  129 

Kinkead,   John   197 

Knox,  Benjamin 198 

Knox,  James  198 

Knox,   Robert  198 

Knox,  Samuel  198 

Knoxviile  97 

Kusick,   John   198 

Kuykendail,  Benjamin  198 

Kuykendail,  Joseph  198 

Kuykendail,  Matthew  198 

Lacy,  Edward  198 

Laird,  David  198 

Laird,  James  198,  216 

Laird,  John  198 

Lane,  Aquila  199,  240 

Lane,  Isaac  198 

Lane,  John  199 

Lane,  Tidence 198 

Lang,  John  199 

Langston,  John  199 

Langston,  Robert  199 

Lankford,  Thomas 199 

Large,  Joseph  199 

Latham,  John 199 

Latman,  Joseph  199 

Lawson,  William  199 

Ledbetter,   George  199 

Lee,  James  199 

Leeper,   James   199 

Leeper,  Samuel  199 

Lefy,  Shadrach  200 

Lenoir,  William 124,  131 

Leonard,  Frederick  200 


INDEX 


267 


Leonard,  George  200 

Leonard,  Robert  200 

Lewis,   Charles  200 

Lewis,  James  200 

Lewis,  Joel  200 

Lewis,  John  M 200 

Lewis,  Micajah  200 

Lewis,  William  T 200 

Lindsay,  James  200 

Lindsay,  John 200 

Linn,  Andrew 200 

Linn,  Daniel  200 

Linn,  William  200 

Litton,  Catel  200 

Litton,  John  200 

Livingston,  David  201 

Logan,  James  201 

Logan,  Joseph  201 

Logan,  William  201 

Long  Island  88,  90 

Long,  John  201 

Long,  Eichard  201 

Long,  Robert  240 

Long,   William   201 

Looney,  Absalom  201 

Looney,  David  201 

Looney,  John   201 

Looney,  Moses  201 

Looney,  Robert  201 

Love,   Hezekiah    131 

Love,  John  240 

Love,  Robert  201 

Lowerv,  John  201 

Loyd,  John  201 

Lucas,  Isaac  201 

Lucas,  Joseph 201 

Lucas,  Robert 201 

Lusk,  Joseph  201 

Lusk,  Samuel  201 

Lyle,  Henry  202 

Lyle,  Samuel  202 

Lynn,   David  202 

Lyon,  Humberson 202 

Lyon,  William  202 

Lytle,  Archibald  202 

Lytle,  Micajah  202 

Lytle,  Thomas  202 

Lytle,  William  202 

McAden,  William 202 

McAdo,  John  202 

McBee.  Silas  202 

McCafiferty,  William  202 

McCampbell,  John  202 

McCarthy,  Williams  203 

McClelland,  Abraham  203 

McClelland,  John 203 


McClough,  James 203 

McClung,  Charles 97 

MeClure,  John  203 

McConnell,  Abram  203 

McCorkle,  Francis  203 

McCrory,  Matthew 203 

McCroskey,  John  203 

McColloch,  John  203 

McCulloch,  Robert 203 

McCulloch,  Thomas  203 

McCutchan,  John 203 

McCutchan,  Samuel 203 

McCutchan,  William  203 

McDonald,  Magnus  204 

McDowell,  Charles  204 

McDowell,  Ellen  204 

McElwee,  James 107,  204 

McFarland,  Robert  204 

McFerren,  John  205 

McFerren,  Martin  205 

McGaughey,  Samuel  241 

McHenry,  John 205 

McJucken,  Joseph  205 

McKee,  James  205 

McKissick,  David 205 

McKissick,  Thomas  205 

McLain,  Alexander  205 

McLain,  John  241 

McMillian,  Alexander  205 

McMillen,  "William  206 

McNabb,    David   206 

McNabb,   John   206 

McNutt,  George  206 

McQueen,  James  206 

McShaney,  William  206 

McSpedden,  William  206 

Magill,  James  206 

Magill,  John  206 

Mahannas,  TapJey  206 

Mahoney,  Michael  207 

Main,    Henry    207 

Main,  Tobias  207 

Manor,  Josiah 207 

Manor,  Thomas  207 

Maples,  Marmaduke 207 

Martin,  John  207 

Martin,  Joseph  68,  94,   207 

Martin,  Matthew  208 

Martin,  Robert  207 

Martin,  Salathiel  207 

Martin,   Samuel 208,  241 

Martin,  William 68,  208 

Mason,  Patrick  208 

Mason,  Thomas  208 

Massengale,  Henry  241 

Massingale,  Michael  208,  241 


268 


INDEX 


Massingale,  James 208 

Mattocks,  John  208 

Maxwell,  George  208 

Maxwell,  James  208 

Maxwell,  John  208 

Maxwell,  Thomas  208 

May,  Humphrey 208 

May,  John  208 

Mayes,  Samuel  241 

Mayes,   William   209 

Meaden,  Andrew  209 

Meaden,  John  209 

Meek,  Adam 209 

Meek,  James  209 

Meek,  John  209 

Meek,  Moses  209 

Mendenhall,  Nathan  209 

Meredith,  William  209 

Miller,  James  209 

Miller,  John  209 

Miller,  Robert  210 

Milligan,  Margaret  95 

Millon,  ■  210 

Mitchell,   Edward  210 

Mitchell,  Elijah  210 

Mitchell,  James  210 

Moffett,  George  84 

Moffett,  John   210 

Moffett,  William 85 

Monroe,  William  210 

Montgomery,  Alexander 210 

Montgomery,  James  210 

Montgomery,  John 210 

Montgomery,  Richard  210 

Montgomery,  Robert  210 

Montgomery,  Thomas  210 

Mooney,  Martin  210 

Mooney,   Richard   210 

Moore,  Alexander  105,  211 

Moore,  John  211 

Moore,  Samuel 211 

Moore,  William  211 

Morehead,  John  211 

Morgan,  Isaac  211 

Morgan,  Thomas  211 

Morrison,  John 70 

Morrison,  Peter  211 

Morrison,  William  211 

Munday,  Jeremiah „ 211 

Murdoch,  John 212 

Murphy,  Joseph  212 

Murphy,  Patrick  211 

Murphy,  William  211 

Murfree,  Henry  212 

Musgrove's  Mill  4,  65 

Musick,  Lewis  212 

Nave,  Abraham  212 


Nave,  Conrad  212 

Nave,    Henry   212 

Nave,  Teeler  212 

Neal,  John  212 

Neal,  William 212 

Neally,  B 212 

Nelson,  David  122 

Nelson,  John  212 

Nelson,   Selden  99 

Nelson,  Sutney  212 

Nelson,  William  212 

Newell,  Samuel  212 

Newland,  Lewis  213 

Newman,  Isaac 213 

Newman,  John  213 

Newton,  Benjamin  241 

Nicholas,  Flayl 213 

Nicholas,  James  214 

Nixon,  John  214 

O'Brien,  William  214 

Oglesby,  Elisha  214 

O'Gullion,  Barney  214 

O'Gullion,  Hugh  214 

Outlaw,  Alexander  214 

Overton,  Eli 214 

Owen,  John  214 

Owen,  Robert 214 

Palmer,  John   214 

Palmer,  Peter  214 

Palmer,  Thomas 214 

Parke,  Ezekiel  E „ 214 

Parke,  George  214 

Parker,  Humphrey 215 

Patterson,  Arthur  215 

Patterson,  Thomas  215 

Patterson,  William 215 

Patton,  John  215 

Patton,  Mary  215 

Patton,  Matthew  215 

Patton,  Robert 215 

Pearce,  Joshua 215 

Pearson,  Abel  216 

Peebar,   Elias  216 

Peck,  Adam  216 

Peery,    George   216 

Peery,  James  216 

Peery,  John  216 

Peery,  Thomas  216 

Peery,  William 216 

Pemberton,  John  216 

Pendergast,  Garret  21 G 

Pensioners,  1833  249-255 

Pensioners,  Add'l  List,  256-258 

Pepper,  Elisha 216 

Pepper,  Samuel  217 


INDEX 


269 


Perkins,  Elisha 217 

Perry,  Jesse  217 

Perry,  Solomon  217 

Pertle,  George  217 

Peters,  John  217 

Pettiford,  Edward  217 

Phillips,  James 21 7 

Phillips,  Joseph  217 

Phillips,  Samuel 21" 

Pierce,  James 217 

Pierce,  Joseph  217 

Petition  of  1775  7 

Piper,  James  217 

Pippin,  Robert 217 

Pitman,  William 217 

Pitts,  Lewis  217 

Plonk,  Jacob 217 

Point  Pleasant 74,  75 

Polk,  Ezekiel  217 

Poison,  Andrew  218 

Porter,  James 218 

Porter,  Robert 218 

Porter,  William  218 

Potter,  William  218 

Poston,  Richard  218 

Prather,  Richard  218 

Prather,  Thomas  242 

Preston,  Robert 218 

Preston,  Thomas  218 

Preston,  Walter 218 

Price,  James  218 

Price,  Jonathan  218 

Price,  Samuel 218 

Pruitt,  Martin  242 

Purviarice,  William  219 

Pyle's  defeat  130 

Rabb,  William  219 

Rankin,  David  219 

Rankin,  William 219 

Reanney,  Daniel  219 

Reazer,  Peter  219 

Reed,  James  and  family  219 

Reed,  John  242 

Reedy  Creek  85 

Reep,  Adam   219 

Reep,  Michael  219 

Regan,  Charles  219 

Remfeldt,  Henry  219 

Reepe,  David 219 

Reese,  James  219 

Reeves,  Asher  242 

Reeves,  William 219 

Reynolds,  Elisha  220,  242 

Reynolds,  Henry  220 

Reynolds,  Nathaniel 220 

Rhea,  J 93 


Rhea,  Joseph  and  family  220 

Riggs,  Bethiel  242 

Ritchie,  Alexander  220 

Ritchie,  Samuel  220 

Ritchie,  William  220 

Roan,  Archibald 67 

Roberson,  William 220 

Roberts,  David  220 

Roberts,  James  220 

Robertson,  Charles  7,  220 

Robertson,  James  82 

Robertson,  William  221 

Robinson,  Thomas  221 

Robinson,  William  221 

Roddy,  James  221 

Roebuck,  Benjamin  221 

Roler,  Martin  221 

Roper,  Roger  221 

Rosebrough,  William 222 

Ross,  John  222 

Roster,  Bledsoe's  Company,  104 
Roster,  Shelby's  Company,   103 

Russell,  Andrew  213,  222 

Russell,    George   222 

Russell,   William   70,   222 

Rutledge,  George 92,  222 

Sample,  Samuel  222 

Sarter,  William  242 

Sawyers,   Jonn   222 

Scott,  Alexander  223 

Scott,  Archibald  223 

Scott,  Joseph   223 

Scott,  Robert  223 

Scott,   Samuel  223 

Scott,  Thomas  223 

Scott,  Walter 223 

Scott,   William   223 

Self,  Thomas  223 

Sevier,  Abraham  223 

Sevier,  James 133,  223 

Sevier,  John  64 

Sevier,  Joseph  223 

Sevier,   Robert  223 

Sevier,  Valentine  223 

Shannon,  Robert  223 

Sharp,  Benjamin  223 

Sharp,  Edward 223 

Sharp,  James  223 

Sharp,  Richard 223 

Sharp,  William  223 

Shaver,  Michael  223 

Shaver,  Paul  223 

Shelbv,  David  224 

Shelby,  Evan  85,  91,  223 

Shelby  familv  80,  92 

Shelby,  Isaac 5,  65,  223 


270 


INDEX 


Shelby,  Jamas  70 

Shelby,  John  224 

Shelby,  Moses  224 

Shelby,  Thomas  224 

Sherrill,  Adam_ 224 

Sherill,    Catharine    64 

Sherill,  George 224 

Sherrill,  Samuel  224 

SherilPs  company 224 

Shipp,  Thomas  225 

Shirley,   John   225 

Shote,  Emanuel  225 

Shote,  Thomas  225 

Sigman,  John  225 

Singleton,  Richard 225 

Siske,  Daniel  225 

Skaggs,  Henry  225 

Skaggs,  John  216 

Sketches,  personal,  explanation 

of  139 

Smart,   John   225 

Smith,  Daniel 225 

Smith,  David  225,  242 

Smith,   Edward   225,   242 

Smith,  Henry  226 

Smith,  James  226 

Smith,  John  225,   226 

Smith,  Minor  226 

Smith,  William  226 

Snodgrass,  James  226 

Snodgrass,  William  226 

Snoddy,  John  226 

Somers,  John  226 

Spelts,  John   226 

Stamey,  John  226 

Starnes,  Nicholas 243 

Steele,  James  226 

Steele,  John 226 

Steele,  Joseph  243 

Steele,  William  226 

Stevenson,  John  227 

Stewart,  John  227 

Stewart,  William  227 

Stinson,  James  227 

Stockton,  John  227 

Stockton,  William  227 

Stone,  William  227 

Stovall,  Bartholemew 227 

Stribling,  Clayton 243 

Sword,  Michael  227 

Syles,  James  227 

Talbert,  Charles  227 

Talbot,  James 228 

Talbot,  Matthew  227 

Talbot,  Thomas  228 

Talbot,   William   .' 228 


Tate,   John   228 

Tate,  Robert  228 

Tate,  Samuel  228 

Tatum,  James  228 

Taylor,  Andrew  243 

Taylor,  Christopher 228 

Taylor,  Isaac 123,  228,  243 

Taylor,  James  243 

Taylor,  Leroy  228 

Teeter,  George 229 

Temple,  ■  229 

Terrell,  Micajah  229 

Terrell,  Richmond  229 

Terrell,  William  229 

Thompson,  Alexander  229 

Thompson,  James  229 

Thompson,  John 229 

Tillman,  Philip  229 

Tinsley,  Golding  229 

Tipton,  Jonathan  229 

Tipton,  William  229 

Todd,  James  230 

Topp,  Roger 230,  243 

Tories  hanged  71,  129,  130 

Tramwell,  William 230 

Trimble,  Robert  230 

Trimble,  William 230 

Turnley,  George 230 

Twitty,  Anthony  230 

Twitty,  William 212,  230 

Utterly,  William  243 

Vance,  David  230 

Vance,  James  230 

Vance,  John  230 

Vance,   Samuel  230 

Waddell,   John   231 

Waddell,  Martin  231 

Walker,    William   231 

Wallace,  Andrew  231 

Wallace,  Thomas  243 

Walling,  William  244 

Walton,  Jesse 125 

Walton,  William  244 

Ward,  Betsy  t>8 

Ward,  David  216,  231 

Ward,  Nancy  68 

Ward,  William  231 

Washington  County,  Tenn.       8 

Washington  Co.  Records 8-63 

Watauga    Association    6,    7,    64 

Watson,  David  231 

Watson,  John  231 

Watson,  Samuel  231 

Watson,  William  231 


INDEX 


271 


Wear.  John  232 

Wear,  Samuel  231 

Weaver,  John  232 

Webb,  George  232 

Weir,  John 232 

Welchel,  David  244 

Welchel,  Francis  244 

Welchel,  John  244 

Welchel,  William 244 

Welchiel,  John  232 

Wells,  Joseph 232 

Whit,  Charles  232 

White,  Benjamin 99,  232 

White,  Hugh  L 97 

White,  Isaac  232 

White,  James  97,  232 

White,  Joseph  233 

White,    Martha,    99,    100,    101, 
102 

White,  Richard  233 

White,  Thomas 232 

White,  William  233,  244 

Whitesides,  John  233 

Whitesides,  William 233 

Whitten,  John  233 

Whitten,  Solomon  233 

Wiley,  Alexander  233 

Wilfong,   John   233 

Willaims,  Benjamin  244 

Williams,  Daniel  233 

Williams  family 185 

Williams,  James  233 


Williams,  John  100 

Williams,  Samuel  234 

Wilson,  Joseph 234 

Wilson,  Robert  234 

Wilson,  Zaccheus  234 

Willoughby,  Matthew  234 

Willoughby,  William  234 

Winston,  Joseph  5,  235 

Wither,   Elisha   235 

Witherspoon,  John 235 

Witherspoon,  David 235 

Withrow,  James  235 

Witten,  Thomas  216 

Wood,  Jonathan  235 

Wood,  Samuel  235 

Woolsey,  Thomas 235 

Womack,  Jacob  236 

Word,  Charles  236 

Word,   Cuthbert  236 

Word,  John 236 

Word,  Peter  236 

Word,   Thomas   236 

Wyley,  James  245 

Wynn,  William 236 

Yeary,  Henry  236 

Yontz,   George  236 

Young,  James 236 

Young,  Robert  236 

Young,  Thomas  236,  245 

Young,  William 236,  245 


